Singaporean arrested in Myanmar raid on Shwe Kokko scam hub

YANGON, MYANMAR: A Singaporean has been arrested in Myanmar during a large-scale raid on the Shwe Kokko scam enclave, according to a report by The Global New Light of Myanmar.

The government-owned newspaper stated on 24 November 2025, that he was the only Singaporean among 156 foreign nationals detained on 23 November.

According to the same report, those detained had been hiding after committing offences that targeted neighbouring countries, including Thailand.

Singapore state media The Straits Times reported that the man has not been linked to the Singapore group involved in a major scam syndicate operating in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Myanmar authorities allege that he was part of an online scam and gambling network operating in Shwe Kokko.

They said he had been in hiding after committing offences in countries within the region.

A spokesperson from the Singapore Police Force said it is aware of the report and is in contact with the Myanmar authorities to render assistance.

The raid also led to the arrests of 65 Chinese nationals, 20 Indians and 13 Kenyans.

Eight Vietnamese, eight Burundians, seven Filipinos and six Indonesians were detained as well.

Further arrests included six Ugandans, five Thais and four Ethiopians.

Three Nigerians, two Rwandans, a Nepali and a Zimbabwean were also among those held.

A Kazakh, a Uzbek, a Beninese, a Togolese and a Malaysian were additionally arrested, according to the report.

Shwe Kokko and the wider Myawaddy region have long been identified as hubs for scam operations.

The area sits on the border with Thailand’s Mae Sot, a location known for human trafficking networks.

Myanmar authorities have been carrying out raids since 18 November in what they described as a clampdown on scam and online gambling activities.

As at 27 November, almost 250 buildings used for scam operations had been demolished.

More than 2,000 foreign nationals had been detained over the course of the operation.

Authorities also reported seizing and destroying more than 3,000 computers and 21,000 mobile phones.

Shwe Kokko’s development into a major centre for illicit online activity has been widely linked to Chinese-Cambodian businessman She Zhijiang.

According to The Global New Light of Myanmar, She is a 43-year-old Chinese national who also holds a Cambodian passport.

He was arrested in Thailand in 2022 and deported to China on 12 November 2025.

Authorities said he will stand trial in China for operating illegal casinos and gambling websites.

He also faces allegations of using Myanmar as a base for illegal operations and for laundering money.

She’s business empire was centred on theYatai New City project in Shwe Kokko, Myanmar, valued at around US$15 billion.

In a 2024 interview with Al Jazeera’s 101 East programme, She claimed he had been a Chinese intelligence operative who fell out of favour and feared execution if returned to China. He alleged his prosecution was politically motivated.

However, legal experts quoted by Al Jazeera noted that such assertions appeared to be a strategic attempt to prevent extradition by invoking the risk of political persecution. Thai courts ultimately dismissed the claim.

The recent raid in Shwe Kokko comes amid wider regional attention on scam syndicates involving Singaporeans.

On 29 October, Singapore police reported that warrants of arrest had been issued for 27 Singaporeans and seven Malaysians linked to a scam ring in Cambodia.

Two Singaporeans from that group were deported from Cambodia and Thailand and charged in Singapore on 17 November.

Singapore has recorded losses of about S$4 billion to scams since 2020.

Recent legislative changes include provisions to cane scammers, with penalties of up to 24 strokes depending on the severity of the offence.