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China is claiming a major victory in the fight against scam operations located on its borders with Myanmar. According to Foreign Minister Wang Yi, joint work with Thailand, Myanmar, and Laos has “largely eliminated” those infamous telephone and Internet Scam Parks. Apart from these brief positive comments, some questions must be raised: Is this a genuine breakthrough, or just optimistic talk?
Cracking Down on Cross-Border Crime
Wang Yi announced at a press conference during China’s Two Sessions this spring, stressing the importance of cross-border cooperation in solving this difficult problem. He noted that China has been working with neighbors to conduct joint operations against these scam parks and get victims out.
The crackdown follows a long spell of reports by the Chinese public and officials, saying that Chinese citizens have been drawn to the Myanmar border region and then forced to engage in illegal online scams. The Chinese government attaches great importance to this problem and is determined to show its resolve in ridding its citizens of such criminal wrongs.
The Wang Xing Incident: A Turning Point In the Case
Chinese actor, Wang Xing, was lured to a Myanmar Scam Park via Thailand in early January. This incident was soon on everyone’s lips across China itself. The public was furious, and pressure on the authorities to act decisively mounted further.
The Wang Xing incident illustrates Chinese citizens’ vulnerability to these sophisticated scams. It also shows the need for effective law enforcement and improved social consciousness. But it also emphasizes the vital role that regional cooperation has to play in fighting cross-border crime.
Thailand Pulls the Plug: A Bold Move
Thailand’s decision in early February to cut off electricity supply to five areas in Myanmar along the Thai-Myanmar border was a rather bold move. This action, which was aimed at having a brutal impact on the scam parks, showed just how important it is for Thailand to continue working with China in this field.
By cutting off the power, Thailand effectively disabled the scam parks and made it much more difficult for their illegal activities to go on. These places will now have more trouble anywhere else they relocate to, as happened in the recent moves by some scammers when Burma authorities finally became too hot for them. It was also a clear sign that regional governments were determined to put an end to such criminal enterprises.
Rescues and Repatriations: A Sign of Success?
The return of over 620 Chinese suspects involved in fraud last month is another testament to the fact that pressure has worked. These departmental rescues show law enforcement agencies are actively looking for and arresting people engaged in fraud operations. They are a big boost to morale within the force which can only help their progress further down this critical road of reining in scamsters in action across China and dozens of other countries around Asia.
But it’s important to point out that repatriating all these suspects is just one leg of an operation. In addition, authorities also have to put major emphasis on punishing those behind the scams and pulling down networks that support them.
Largely Wiped Out? Be Cautious.
While China’s claim that the Myanmar scam parks have been “largely wiped out” is heartening, caution seems advisable. It’s quite possible that some of these scam operations have merely moved elsewhere or altered their tactics to escape detection.
It is also worth remembering that efforts to eliminate online scams are a war that must be waged ever vigilantly and cooperatively. However, the Chinese government and its regional partners will have to keep energetically taking stern measures against those criminal activities if they are serious about cracking down. Another way will be for it to do everything possible to protect the public from deceivers and robbers of their earnings who are now abroad but may well come home where at least there must still be some semblance— if not real sense— certainly no chance. That China’s claim will be substantiated and it is crucial to keep them honest. But this is what the party says officially so please take it with a pinch of salt.
Source: Inside Asian Gaming (IAG)
