Myanmar Leads Mekong Nations In Combating Cyber Crime 

By Vijian Paramasivam

PHNOM PENH, Nov 19 (Bernama) -- Myanmar has deported more than 68,000 foreign nationals over the last three years and recently demolished 150 buildings linked to online scam operations, amid intensified regional efforts to curb transnational crime.

The Southeast Asian nation has joined other Lancang-Mekong nations - China, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand - to crack down online scams and illegal gambling that pose a threat to regional security.

State Media The Global New Light of Myanmar reported today that the  Myanmar government is intensifying operations to dismantle scam and gambling hubs that have caused harm to the international community.

“We have been conducting territorial administration and operations, and we are working to completely eradicate online scam activities from their roots,” said Myanmar’s National Defence and Security Council Spokesperson Maj-General Zaw Min Tun, reported the state media.

In yesterday’s anti-cybercrime operation, 350 foreign nationals were arrested.

Senior security officials from the Lancang-Mekong countries agreed to enhance cooperation in combating cyber crimes during a meeting last week in Vientiane, the capital of Laos.

“Lancang-Mekong countries” refers to the six nations connected by the Lancang-Mekong River, one of  Asia’s major waterways.

“It marked an important step in establishing ministerial-level, six-party cooperation to combat international telecom crimes. 

“Delegates focused on forming a coordinated mechanism to prevent, detect and suppress telecom fraud activities that have increasingly affected the region,” reported Vientiane Times today.

Cambodia’s Commission for Combating Online Scams has detained and deported nearly 3,500 foreigners involved in the crime over the last four months.

Regional governments are taking serious measures to stem the rampant scourge, as these fraudulent activities have robbed many innocent victims of their savings, threatened national security and affected tourism.

In addition, thousands of young people have fallen victim to human traffickers who lured them to work in scam hubs across the region. 

-- BERNAMA