According to the information team of Myanmar’s National Defence and Security Council, security forces carried out an operation near Ban Hsin village in Hsipaw township, northern Shan State, on December 17. They raided a gathering site suspected of online scams and online gambling, took control of several people involved and seized a large quantity of equipment.
The statement said that at about 9:30 a.m. that morning, security forces found several clusters of temporary tents during a routine patrol. Some armed individuals fired at the security forces during the operation. The forces said they responded in accordance with the law, brought the situation under control, captured three armed members of the “Shan army” and seized several firearms. A further six people suspected of involvement in online scams and online gambling were arrested in the subsequent operation: five Chinese nationals and one Myanmar national.
Officers seized 76 computers, 160 mobile phones, 19 sets of Starlink equipment, tablets, network access equipment, tents, generators and other items associated with the case. Preliminary inquiries indicated that about 200 people were involved in illegal activities at the site; some had fled by the time of the operation. Myanmar authorities said they would continue intensifying action against online scams and online gambling and pursue those involved and the organisers behind them in accordance with the law.
Compiled by this station