807 scam suspects caught in Myanmar

A total of 807 cross-border telecom scam suspects were captured in a recent operation launched by Chinese and Myanmar police, showcasing that the two countries' resolute joint efforts to fight the crime are being further deepened.

China's Ministry of Public Security disclosed details of the latest operation on Monday, describing it as another significant achievement in law enforcement cooperation.

Based on clues provided by Chinese authorities, Myanmar police went to the Muse area, a key border gateway, to dismantle the hideouts and catch the suspects, the ministry said.

It noted that this was the first time that police from the two countries had worked together in that area.

Among the suspects were 352 Chinese nationals, including 21 alleged ringleaders. They were transferred to Chinese police on Sunday for further investigation, and a large number of instruments used in the scam, including computers and mobile phones, were confiscated, the ministry said.

Since the beginning of last year, the Chinese ministry has continuously advanced such cooperation with law enforcement agencies in Myanmar in response to the severe challenges posed by telecom fraud that targets China from northern Myanmar.

So far, about 48,000 Chinese suspects have been handed over to Chinese police for further judicial procedures, and the grim situation of the cross-border telecom scam has been effectively eased, according to the ministry.

Calling telecom fraud a global challenge for law enforcement and clarifying that international cooperation is an overarching trend, the ministry pledged to maintain the momentum against the crime with relevant countries and regions.

"Chinese police will continue the law enforcement cooperation, persistently conduct joint operations, decisively eradicate scam hideouts and apprehend suspects, so that the upward trend of cross-border fraud can be firmly curbed and the safety of people's life and property can be effectively safeguarded," it said.

Emphasizing that foreign countries and regions are not beyond the reach of law enforcement, the ministry urged those engaged in telecom fraud overseas to stop their illegal activities and return to China as soon as possible to turn themselves in for lenient treatment.

While continuing the joint efforts with Myanmar police to fight telecom scammers, Chinese public security agencies have also intensified similar efforts with other countries.

For example, 268 telecom fraud suspects were transferred to China from Laos in February under the coordination and cooperation of police from the two countries.

In addition, Chinese prosecutors and judges have taken steps to fight transnational fraud, with resoluteness and strength in deterring and punishing cross-border telecom scammers and online fraudsters.

In a case recently disclosed by the Supreme People's Court, China's top court, a ringleader of a fraud group was sentenced to 15 years and six months in prison for several offenses. The ringleader illegally crossed the border into Myanmar from Yunnan province and recruited Chinese for his fraud group, which swindled 196 victims out of more than 27.96 million yuan ($3.87 million) between April 2019 and October 2020.