Wed Nov 19 06:57:16 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text and a news article rewrite:
Summary:
Myanmar’s military conducted a raid on Shwe Kokko, an internet scam hub on the Thai border, arresting nearly 350 people. These scam hubs have flourished in Myanmar’s border regions, targeting internet users globally with scams. While the junta has been accused of ignoring these activities, they’ve recently launched a crackdown, pressured by China who is irked that its citizens are both perpetrators and victims of the scams. The military has blamed armed opposition groups for allowing these centers to operate. The operation targeted the Yatai firm, linked to She Zhijiang, who was arrested in Thailand and extradited to China for his involvement in online gambling and fraud. Previous sweeps have led to repatriations and border internet blockades. Scam victims in Southeast and East Asia lost an estimated $37 billion in 2023 alone.
News Article:
Myanmar Military Raids Major Internet Scam Hub, Hundreds Arrested
Yangon, Myanmar – November 19, 2025 – In a highly publicized operation, Myanmar’s military raided Shwe Kokko, a notorious internet scam hub located on the Thai border, arresting approximately 350 individuals. The raid marks a significant development in the ongoing crackdown against the region’s burgeoning black market compounds, which have become havens for online fraud.
These sprawling fraud factories have thrived in Myanmar’s war-torn border areas, preying on internet users globally through romance and business scams that generate tens of billions of dollars annually. The Myanmar junta has faced accusations of turning a blind eye to these activities but has recently ramped up enforcement efforts following pressure from China, a key military backer. Chinese officials have expressed growing concern over the involvement of Chinese citizens as both perpetrators and victims of these scams.
According to state media, the operation targeted the Yatai firm, associated with She Zhijiang, who was recently extradited to China after his arrest in Thailand. Zhijiang faces allegations of extensive involvement in online gambling and fraud operations.
In addition to the arrests, authorities seized nearly ten thousand mobile phones used in online gambling operations. The military has blamed armed opposition groups for providing protection to the scam centers.
Previous efforts to combat the scams include the repatriation of thousands of alleged scammers and a cross-border internet blockade enacted by Thailand. However, the scale of the problem remains immense. A UN report estimated that scam victims in Southeast and East Asia alone were defrauded of up to $37 billion in 2023.
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