The United States government has announced sanctions against three individuals and six companies associated with Major Saw Chit Oo of the Border Guard Force (BGF/KNA), who are operating online scam centers in Shwe Kokko town, Myawaddy Township, Karen State. The individuals include Saw Min Min Oo and Saw Tin Win. The U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) stated that they are targeting a major online fraud network in Southeast Asia responsible for stealing billions of dollars from American victims. The network is also accused of engaging in violence and forced labor practices.
The sanctioned entities operate in Shwe Kokko New City, which has gained notoriety under the protection of the Karen National Army (KNA). The U.S. government revealed that these operations involve international fraud schemes, human trafficking, and forced labor. Shwe Kokko’s Yatai New City, established by She Zhijiang and Major Saw Chit Oo, has transformed a small village along the Thaung Yin River into a gambling city within eight years, featuring illegal activities including gambling, drug trafficking, prostitution, and elaborate scam operations targeting victims worldwide, particularly Americans. John K. Hurley from the U.S. Treasury Department emphasized that Southeast Asia’s cyber fraud operations not only threaten America’s health and financial security but also subject thousands to modern slavery.
The scam compounds in Shwe Kokko are reported to engage in severe human rights violations, including forced detention, physical abuse, and forced labor. Victims who manage to escape have reported having to be ransomed by their families, facing beatings until meeting fraud quotas, being forced into sexual slavery, and enduring various forms of torture. The operation is overseen by KNA leader Major Saw Chit Oo, who has delegated management responsibilities to trusted subordinates Tin Win and Min Min Oo. The U.S. sanctions specifically target three individuals: Saw Tin Win and Saw Min Min Oo from KNA, and She Zhijiang, along with six companies including 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. This action follows previous sanctions imposed in May against Major Saw Chit Oo and his sons Saw Htu Eh Moo and Saw Chit Chit for their role in protecting and operating these criminal enterprises.
