U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has officially designated the Karen National Army (KNA), led by military council-affiliated Major Saw Chit Thu, as a transnational criminal organization. Along with this announcement, the U.S. government has implemented additional sanctions against online scam centers in Cambodia and Myanmar. According to the State Department’s statement, these online financial fraud operations have significantly impacted American citizens, with the United States alone suffering losses of at least $10 billion in 2024 due to such scams.
The U.S. Department of Treasury has imposed sanctions on nine targets associated with the scam center in Shwe Kokko area, which operates under KNA protection in Myawaddy Township, Karen State. The KNA has been identified as a transnational criminal organization engaged in online financial fraud targeting U.S. citizens, forced labor, and labor exploitation. This designation comes as part of broader efforts to combat international criminal networks operating in the region.
The latest round of U.S. economic sanctions targets three individuals, including Saw Tin Win and Saw Min Min Oo, who are key lieutenants of KNA Major Saw Chit Thu, along with She Zhijiang. Additionally, six companies have been sanctioned: Myanmar Yatai International Holding Group Co., Ltd., Chit Lin Myaing Mining and Industry Company, Chit Lin Myaing Toyota Company, Chit Lin Myaing Company, Shwe Myae Thaung Yan Industry and Production Company, and Yatai International Holding Group Limited.
The U.S. government had previously imposed sanctions in May 2023 against Border Guard Force (BGF/KNA) leader Major Saw Chit Thu and his sons Saw Htoo Eh Moo and Saw Chit Chit for providing protection to fraud syndicates and their operations. The current expansion of sanctions to include their subordinates and business enterprises represents an escalation in efforts to dismantle the network’s financial infrastructure and operational capabilities.
