Recently, a large-scale operation against illegal online gambling and cyber fraud in Daqili City, Myanmar, has attracted widespread attention.
According to Myanmar media reports, the National Management Committee announced that in the second week of February 2025, a cyber fraud and illegal online gambling den was successfully dismantled in Sangsansei (A) Block, Daqili City, eastern Shan State, near the Myanmar-Thailand border, and several suspects were arrested. This operation not only exposed the complexity of cross-border criminal networks but also prompted deep reflection on the security issues in border areas.
During a raid in Sangsansei (A) Block, Daqili City, police successfully arrested 16 individuals involved in online gambling in a building rented by Thais, including 11 men and 5 women. A large number of tools used in the crimes were seized at the scene, including 61 laptops, 329 desktop computers, 90 CPUs, 90 mobile phones, and 2 unlicensed motorcycles. This action initially unveiled just the tip of the iceberg of this cross-border criminal network.
However, this was just the beginning. A joint operation by military forces and police in a residential building on Dexin Road No. 3 near the Sangsansei (A) Block office led to the arrest of 7 Thai men and 6 Burmese (1 man and 5 women). During this operation, the police not only seized 50 computers and 300 mobile phones but also found 4 packs of fresh kratom leaves weighing about 1 kg, 10 bottles of 1-liter kratom juice, and 30 bottles of cough syrup. The seizure of these items further revealed the diverse activities of the criminal gang, possibly involving drug-related transactions.
It was revealed that the online gambling operations these arrested individuals were involved in were run by Weisan and his wife Yanju, who reside in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This information indicates that the illegal gambling activities in Daqili City are not isolated but are closely linked to criminal networks within Thailand.
Moreover, the report pointed out that in addition to Thais who come daily from Thailand to engage in online gambling, many citizens from other countries also participate in such activities in Daqili City. This phenomenon highlights the complexity and international trend of cross-border crime.
It is noteworthy that this arrest operation was not accidental. According to local residents, the Thai side has taken measures such as cutting off electricity to pressure telecom fraud gangs, which has directly impacted the illegal gambling activities in Daqili City.
Many large hotels and other venues offering online gambling received advance notice of the arrests, and some chose to hide, but some were still caught because they did not evacuate in time. This detail reveals a possible tacit understanding or relationship of interest between the criminal gangs and local forces.
The arrest operation involved multiple secret arrests and closures. However, some issues were also exposed during the operation. For example, 3 to 4 days before the start of the arrest operation, some local officials and police forces responsible for collecting monthly fees had already informed the relevant venues in advance, causing many gambling venues to hide in advance. This phenomenon not only weakened the effectiveness of the operation but also raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of law enforcement.
Overall, although the crackdown in Daqili City achieved certain results, it also exposed the complexity of cross-border criminal networks and the many challenges in the law enforcement process. Illegal online gambling and cyber fraud not only endanger public security but may also involve more serious crimes such as drug trafficking and money laundering.
The success of this operation may just be the tip of the iceberg. How to effectively combat such crimes and maintain the security and stability of border areas remains an urgent issue. This also reminds us that combating crime requires not only the efforts of law enforcement agencies but also international cooperation and the participation of all sectors of society.
