US sanctions Myanmar militia and warlord linked to cyber scams and trafficking
The US has sanctioned a Myanmarese militia and its warlord for their alleged role in cyber scams as well as smuggling and human trafficking rings that have cost Americans billions of dollars.
The Treasury Department on Monday sanctioned the Karen National Army, an ethnic Buddhist militia group operating in southeast Kayin state bordering Thailand, its leader Saw Chit Thu, and his two sons, Saw Htoo Eh Moo and Saw Chit Chit.
The militia is linked to Myanmar 's military junta, which grabbed power in a 2021 coup.
The US has previously imposed a series of sanctions on the ruling junta and its leaders.
The Karen National Army emerged as a distinct entity after splitting from the Myanmar military in April 2024. In its earlier avatar as a Myanmar army unit, it was known as the Karen Border Guard Force.
The group was originally formed in 1994 as the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army.
According to the US Treasury, the militia leases land to organised crime gangs in Myanmar and runs highly lucrative 'scam compounds' targeting Americans.
Myanmar and fellow Southeast Asian countries of Cambodia and Laos have seen a mushrooming of criminal groups involved in cyber scams.
These groups run multinational scams exploiting trafficked workers as well as people who have been forcibly taken, deceived or coerced into working in their scam centres, often under abusive or inhumane conditions.
The UN warned last month that these criminal gangs have been expanding despite crackdowns and spreading their tentacles as far away as Ireland and Mexico.
'A significant portion of cyber scams targeting Americans and others around the globe emanate from Southeast Asia,' the Treasury said in a statement Monday, adding that such scams had lost Americans about $3.5bn (£2.6bn) in 2023 alone.
The sanctions on the Karen National Army, its chief and his sons freeze any US assets they may hold and bar Americans from doing business with them.
The UK and the EU have already imposed sanctions on the warlord.
'Cyber scam operations such as those run by the KNA generate billions in revenue for criminal kingpins and their associates, while depriving victims of their hard-earned savings and sense of security," deputy secretary Michael Faulkender said.
Mr Thu is known to have close ties to the military rulers as he was conferred an honorary title for "outstanding performance" by junta chief General Min Aung Hlaing in November 2022.
The American sanctions came as the military junta extended its ongoing ceasefire with armed rebel groups until the end of the month, the third extension since a powerful earthquake caused widespread devastation in the country.
The junta chief's office said the ceasefire had been extended to accelerate reconstruction and recovery efforts in areas most affected by the 28 March earthquake.
Naing Maung Zaw, a spokesperson for the KNA, said Mr Thu was saddened by news of the US sanctions but that they "will not affect us in any way".
"I really cannot understand why this happened when we ... are working to crack down on scam centres and repatriate victims to their respective countries," Mr Zaw said.
"We will continue the work we have started."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Keir Starmer doubles down on Israeli ministers' sanctions despite being slammed by US
SIR Keir Starmer yesterday doubled down on sanctioning Israeli ministers, despite being savagely rapped by the US. Donald Trump 's administration hit out at Britain after the PM broke with tradition and imposed a travel ban and asset freeze on two far-right members of Israel's government, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. 4 4 4 In a scathing attack on the move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the sanctions 'do not advance American efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home and end the war'. Mr Rubio warned Britain 'not to forget who the real enemy is'. The US ambassador to the UK said he 'fully supported' Mr Rubio's slap down and warned the PM against 'impeding constructive dialogue'. Ben-Gvir, who is pushing to annex the West Bank and wants to permanently expel Palestinians from Gaza, said: 'The American administration is a moral compass in the face of the confusion of some Western countries that choose to appease terrorist organizations like Hamas. 'Israel is not afraid — we will continue to fight terrorism. 'History will judge the Chamberlains of our time.' At PMQs Sir Keir defended the sanctions as a bid to 'uphold human rights and defend the prospect of a two-state solution'. The PM said: "Acting alongside our allies, we have sanctioned individuals responsible for inciting appalling settler violence and expansion. "We will continue to support all efforts to secure a ceasefire, the release of all hostages despicably held by Hamas and the humanitarian aid that needs to surge in. Greta Thunberg's Gaza 'Freedom Flotilla' boarded & seized by Israeli forces 4
Reuters
3 hours ago
- Reuters
Thai ruling party grapples with border crisis, thorny court case amid bleak economy
BANGKOK, June 12 (Reuters) - Thailand's ruling party, besieged by a faltering economy and a border crisis, faces more uncertainty this week as the Supreme Court begins hearing a case that could lead to jail time for its most influential politician, Thaksin Shinawatra. The billionaire former premier, and the driving force behind the government of his daughter Paetongtarn Shinawatra, skipped prison on his return in 2023 from 15 years of self-exile by serving his detention in hospital, on grounds of ill-health. But this week's proceedings could add to mounting troubles for political newcomer Paetongtarn and her Pheu Thai party, if the court deems the hospital detention unlawful and orders Thaksin to serve his original prison time. "There is already a crisis of confidence for the prime minister," said Wanwichit Boonprong, a lecturer in political science at Rangsit University. "Many people feel the government cannot handle all the crises the country is facing." An escalation in a border row with Cambodia has also rattled Paetongtarn's government, with Thailand's politically powerful military, which overthrew Shinawatra governments in 2006 and 2014, making its presence felt as nationalist rhetoric heats up. Critics will scrutinise the government's handling of critical talks with its neighbour set for Saturday, amid growing public unease over its management of an economy shackled by crippling household debt. A negative outcome in Thaksin's case and the border dispute would ratchet up the pressure on Pheu Thai, say analysts, both in the ruling coalition and among the public, as protest simmers. But veteran Pheu Thai politician Somkid Chuekong dismissed any potential political impact from Thaksin's case, emphasising that he has no direct say in government affairs. "He has only expressed his thoughts and suggestions on the government's work," said Somkid, who is Paetongtarn's deputy secretary-general. Thaksin could not immediately be reached for comment. His case and the government's handling of various challenges have chipped away at public confidence, said Rangsiman Rome, a lawmaker of the opposition People's Party. "It will be very difficult to govern in the short term, because the people no longer have any confidence left." Thaksin appeared in good health as he met cheering crowds on his return home in 2023, before appearing in court to be sentenced to eight years in jail for abuse of power and conflicts of interest. The 75-year-old spent just a few hours in jail before complaining of chest and heart problems and was transferred to the VIP wing of a hospital, prompting outrage and mockery from a public sceptical about the sudden deterioration of his health. A royal pardon cut his sentence to one year, and he was released on parole after six months. On Thursday, the Medical Council of Thailand will decide if three doctors who signed off on Thaksin's hospital stay should be punished for abusing their authority. That decision will feed into a Supreme Court process that starts on Friday concerning the legality of the hospital detention. It is unclear when it will yield a verdict. Despite not holding any formal position, Thaksin has cast a long shadow over the government, through meetings with foreign leaders, campaigning in local elections and weighing in on policy. Sixty percent of respondents in a poll last week believed Thaksin's case would affect the stability of a government whose popularity was shaken after it paused a cash handout programme to tens of millions of Thais. "He has a lot of influence on this government and it would hurt public confidence if the outcome of the case is negative," said Yuttaporn Issarachai, a political science expert at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. The Pheu Thai administration is also grappling to keep the border dispute with Cambodia from spiralling out of control, as both sides have mobilised troops before talks between their militaries curbed rising tension set off by a recent skirmish. Saturday's talks with Cambodia may not lead to a resolution, however, said Titipol Phakdeewanich, a specialist in political science at Ubon Ratchathani University. "The prime minister has not been very firm in her statements, which raised questions by some about whether this government is actually protecting the interests of the country," Titipol said. The border row has become a lightning rod for administration critics, with royalists holding small protests and urging the military to oust the government, as it has at least 10 times since 1932. "The country now faces security issues and nationalism is on the rise at a time when government leadership is at its weakest," said Jatuporn Prompan, a Thaksin ally turned critic. "Some people have started calling for a coup." But Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai last week talked down such a possibility. "The army has to do its duty," he told reporters. "There is no conflict with the government."
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Don't forget who real enemy is, U.S. warns Lammy over sanctions of two Israeli ministers over ‘egregious abuses' of human rights in Gaza
The White House has criticised Britain's decision to sanction two Israeli ministers over 'egregious abuses' of human rights in Gaza. US secretary of state Marco Rubio said the travel ban and asset freeze imposed on Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich should be reversed. He urged the UK 'not to forget who the real enemy is' and said the sanctions hindered the US's ceasefire efforts. In a major break with the US, the UK this week joined Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Norway in imposing sanctions on the two Israeli ministers. Mr Smotrich, the finance minister, and Mr Ben-Gvir, the security minister, both belong to Right-wing parties that help to prop up Benjamin Netanyahu 's coalition government. They have both been criticised for their hardline stance. Mr Smotrich has campaigned against allowing aid into Gaza, and supported the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. Meanwhile, Mr Ben-Gvir has called for Gaza's people to be resettled out of the territory. Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the ministers had been 'inciting violence against Palestinian people for months and months and months, they have been encouraging egregious abuses of human rights'. But Mr Rubio tweeted: 'These sanctions do not advance US-led efforts to achieve a ceasefire, bring all hostages home and end the war. 'We reject any notion of equivalence – Hamas is a terrorist organisation that committed unspeakable atrocities, continues to hold innocent civilians hostage, and prevents the people of Gaza from living in peace. We remind our partners not to forget who the real enemy is.' Mr Ben-Gvir thanked Mr Rubio for his comments, writing: 'The American administration is a moral compass in the face of the confusion of some Western countries that choose to appease terrorist organizations like Hamas. 'History will judge the Chamberlains of our time.' Yesterday, Sir Keir Starmer said: 'Acting alongside our allies, we have sanctioned individuals responsible for inciting appalling settler violence and expansion. We've done that to uphold human rights and defend the prospect of a two-state solution.' Downing Street said the two men had been sanctioned in their 'personal capacities'.
