Photo: CCTV News

A total of 497 suspects in cross-border telecommunications network fraud were handed over from Myanmar to China on February 21, in the first batch of such individuals this year, media reports said on Friday. This was another significant achievement in the law enforcement collaboration between China and Myanmar, and it marked the first successful joint operation in Tachilek, Myanmar.

According to China Central Television (CCTV), the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has intensified its efforts to enhance international law enforcement collaboration with Myanmar in 2024, so as to further combat telecommunications network fraud crimes in northern Myanmar.

A dedicated working group was dispatched to work closely with Myanmar police in conducting joint operations, leading to the arrest of the 497 suspects in Tachilek, Myanmar.

The MPS has deployed public security organs in Hubei and Sichuan provinces to bring back the criminal suspects from Southwest China's Yunnan Province and make every effort to carry out the investigation.

Since 2023, the MPS has continuously strengthened international law enforcement cooperation with relevant agencies in Myanmar, deploying public security organs in Yunnan to deepen border law enforcement cooperation with Myanmar, while continuously investigating fraud dens. Together with the support of the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar, the joint operations have achieved fruitful results.

As of now, a total of 46,000 suspects involved in telecommunications fraud have been transferred to China, and a large number of fraud dens have been eradicated.

The public security organs will continue to deepen law enforcement cooperation with relevant countries and regions, as well as resolutely curbing the high incidence of cross-border telecommunications network fraud crimes, and effectively safeguarding lives and property.

In addition, the public security organs warned telecommunications network fraud criminals, particularly those who have fled overseas, to cease their illegal activities and voluntarily return to China as soon as possible.

The MPS also reminded the public to heighten their security and anti-fraud awareness, cautioning against falling for the allure of high-paying overseas recruitment scams. Those who engage in fraud will face legal consequences, it said.

Global Times