Chinese Cybercrime Gangs Relocate from KNA-Controlled Shwe Kokko to Allied DKBA and BGF Karen Armed Group Territories

PRM June 3, 2026

Chinese cyber-scam operators based in Shwe Kokko, a town north of Myawaddy in Karen State controlled by the Karen National Army (KNA), are relocating to territories controlled by allied Karen armed groups, specifically the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) and the Border Guard Force (BGF).

Since May 25, over 100 workers from the Shwe Kokko cyber-scam operations have been moved to Kyauk Khat village, an area under DKBA control, according to local sources from Ingyin Myaing village along the Phalu-Walley road.
As reports emerge that the Myanmar military is demolishing around 30 cyber-scam buildings in Shwe Kokko, convoy vehicles have been spotted transporting workers from these targeted sites toward the DKBA-controlled scam hub in Kyauk Khat village, according to the source.

“On May 24 and 25, information reached the DKBA checkpoints that over a hundred Chinese nationals from Kokko would move to Kyauk Khat. Since then, around three to four vehicles have been seen transporting them daily during the afternoon. The trucks traveled from Kokko through Myawaddy, passed military and BGF checkpoints, and headed toward Kyauk Khat via the Mae Htaw Tha Lay road,” said a source from Ingyin Myaing village close to the DKBA.

According to inquiries with BGF and KNA drivers in Myawaddy, Chinese cyber-scam operators are being transferred from Shwe Kokko to Three Pagodas Pass via the Ko Tai-Kyar In and Hpa-An–Kyaikmaraw roads. Additionally, some are being relocated to newly established scam hubs in villages at the foothills of the Dawna Range within Hlaingbwe and Paingkyon townships.
“We constantly have to transport these Chinese scam operators as they shift locations. When KK Park was dismantled, we had to move them to Thay Ka Tay and Hlaingbwe. Now, with rumors of raids and shutdowns in Kokko and Myawaddy, BGF and KNA call for drivers to transfer them to Kyauk Khat, Three Pagodas Pass, and Hpa-An. Since we drive in convoys alongside armed personnel, we pass right through the military checkpoints without any issues,” a driver explained.

The hired driver added that the relocation also involves transporting exotic pets owned by the Chinese kingpins, including tigers, lions, leopards, cats, and dogs.
Business insiders close to the cyber-scam operations suggested that this mass relocation is a preemptive move ahead of the military junta’s upcoming enactment of a new anti-online gambling and fraud law, which is set to be approved by their parliament.
PRM contacted public relations officers and spokespersons regarding the relocation of scam operations within KNA territories to areas held by the DKBA, BGF, and KNA. However, officials declined to comment, stating only that their superiors were unavailable.

Although the military junta is currently demolishing scam-operating buildings in the Myawaddy and Shwe Kokko areas, local KNA members residing in Shwe Kokko noted that there have been no arrests of Chinese kingpins or workers, nor has any scam equipment been seized or destroyed.