Reports state that over 800 members of a cyberscam network operating in a questionable “special economic zone” close to the borders of Thailand and Myanmar have been detained by security authorities in Laos.
According to local media, security agents in Laos have detained almost 800 members of a cyberscam network operating in a dubious “special economic zone” near the borders of Myanmar and Thailand. Nestled in the Bokeo province of Laos, the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is home to several Chinese-owned casinos and hotels and has gained suspicion in recent years as a center for illicit activities.
According to Laotian media, the operation is part of a bigger initiative to eradicate transnational crimes within the SEZ. The media revealed this week that when officials broke up the online fraud network on August 12, 771 people were detained. According to the outlet, which, like all media in one-party communist Laos, is subject to stringent government surveillance, 489 men and 282 women representing 15 different nationalities were among those imprisoned. According to the statement, the operation was one of the “most significant” in the history of the area and required close coordination with Chinese and other foreign security services.
In addition to individuals from Burundi, Colombia, Ethiopia, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Mozambique, Tunisia, the Philippines, Uganda, and Vietnam, the majority of those detained were from Laos, Myanmar, and China. According to the report, the Laotian nationals were issued warnings after being taken into custody and, with the assistance of their family, were returned to their hometowns. On August 15, the Chinese detainees were turned over to Chinese authorities. The foreign nationals who remained were turned over to the appropriate embassies.
The operation follows this month’s successful dismantling of a large-scale cyber fraud and human trafficking organization in the SEZ by Vietnamese and Laotian authorities. According to the official Vietnam News Agency, they detained 155 Vietnamese citizens who were engaged in “sophisticated, cross-border fraudulent activities.” According to research released by Crisis Group last year, since its establishment in 2007, the expansive Special Economic Zone (SEZ) has witnessed a sharp increase in illicit activities such as drug smuggling, gambling, and related criminal activity.
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