MAE SOT — Myanmar security authorities in Myawaddy province transferred 94 Chinese nationals linked to the latest scammer network crackdown to Chinese officials through the Thai border on Wednesday, including 14 high-level leaders wanted by Chinese authorities.
At 11:00 a.m. on August 20, Myawaddy provincial security officials and Border Guard Force (BGF) troops brought 94 Chinese nationals connected to recently dismantled scammer networks to the Myawaddy-Mae Sot Permanent Border Checkpoint No. 2, handing them over to senior Chinese officials on the Thai side.
Border Processing and Transfer
Upon arrival of buses transporting the Chinese nationals at Mae Sot Permanent Border Checkpoint No. 2, Mae Sot district security officials processed all individuals through Thai immigration procedures under military escort. The identification process took over one hour before authorities organized a convoy to transport all Chinese nationals to Mae Sot International Airport.
At Mae Sot International Airport, two chartered China Southern Airlines aircraft awaited the transfer. Thai officials drove buses directly to aircraft doors, where Chinese police and airline security personnel conducted strict document checks and body searches of all 94 individuals.
Reports indicate 14 of the transferred Chinese nationals were wanted by Chinese authorities and held under special custody arrangements. Both Chinese aircraft then departed Mae Sot International Airport, transporting all 94 individuals to China for separate interrogation and prosecution.
Ongoing Regional Crackdown
Myawaddy province in Myanmar, located directly across the border from Mae Sot district in Tak province, has faced pressure from Thai and Chinese authorities to seriously crack down on scammer networks. The area has become notorious for new city construction projects serving as bases and money-laundering hubs along the Thai-Myanmar border.
Since February 20 this year, thousands of scammers – both voluntary participants and human trafficking victims – have been repatriated to their home countries.
The crackdown continues as scammer networks adapt by relocating their facilities and modifying operations to evade ongoing suppression efforts.
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