Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Myanmar Raids Shwe Kokko Scam Hub, Detains 346 and Seizes Nearly 10,000 Phones

State media links the site to Yatai, reflecting Beijing's pressure to curb transnational scams.

Overview

  • Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said 346 foreign nationals were detained in Shwe Kokko and nearly 10,000 mobile phones and related equipment were confiscated.
  • Authorities reported blocking attempted cross‑border escapes near Myawaddy during the raid, which the junta framed as part of an ongoing crackdown on online fraud and illegal gambling.
  • The operation follows an October raid on the nearby KK Park compound, after which more than 1,500 people crossed into Thailand and buildings at the site were demolished.
  • State media identified Yatai as involved at Shwe Kokko and noted alleged operator She Zhijiang was arrested in Thailand in 2022 and recently extradited to China.
  • Observers question whether the campaign targets masterminds, as UNODC estimates Southeast Asia’s scam centers generate nearly $40 billion a year and the border area remains influenced by militias including the Border Guard Force and the Karen National Union.