A charted flight transporting 92 criminal suspects involved in telecommunications fraud landed at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport on September 11, 2023. Photo: Li Hao/GT

To further combat cross-border telecom fraud in northern Myanmar, police from China and Myanmar conducted a joint operation for the first time in northern Myanmar's Muse, transferring a total of 352 Chinese suspects, including key figures and masterminds, along with 51 fugitives to China.   

Recently, Chinese and Myanmar police cooperated internationally, arresting 807 suspects involved in cross-border telecom fraud in the Muse area. Among them, 455 were Myanmar nationals and 352 were Chinese nationals. All Chinese suspects were transferred to China as of March 31, state broadcaster China Central Television reported on Monday. 

A large number of computers, mobile phones, and fraud scripts were seized at the scene. All Chinese suspects and evidence were transferred to China through the Ruili border port in Southwest China's Yunnan Province. Law enforcement departments in Anhui, Jiangsu, and other places have been tasked with bringing back the suspects and conducting further investigations, according to the report.

This operation represents a significant achievement in police cooperation between China and Myanmar, highlighting the two sides' determination to combat cross-border telecom fraud, according to the report. 

Since 2023, China's Ministry of Public Security has been deepening international law enforcement cooperation with Myanmar in response to serious telecom fraud originating from northern Myanmar, carrying out a series of joint actions that have seen 48,000 Chinese fraud suspects transferred to China.

However, some fraud groups in the Muse area continue to operate, posing a serious threat. After multiple rounds of talks and consultations between China and Myanmar, the two sides agreed to launch the joint operation. Based on information provided by Chinese law enforcement departments, the Myanmar police dispatched personnel to the area to coordinate local law enforcement efforts.

Officials from the Ministry of Public Security said that telecom fraud has become a global challenge, and strengthening international law enforcement cooperation is imperative. 

Chinese authorities will continue to deepen cooperation with relevant countries and regions, conduct joint operations, eradicate fraud activities, and safeguard the security of people's lives and property, said the officials, warning fraudsters that regions overseas are not beyond the reach of the law and urging them to surrender voluntarily and face justice as soon as possible.

Global Times