Efforts to shut down online scam centers in Myanmar appeared to gain momentum on Monday as a top Chinese security official visited both sides of the Thai-Myanmar border.

China will fly home about 200 of its nationals found in scam-running compounds on the Thai-Myanmar border, a Thai security official said on Tuesday, as part of a multinational effort to crack down on illegal online operations run from the region.

The political will to crack down on scam centers is greater than ever, but don’t expect the Chinese syndicates to be quashed any time soon, security expert Jason Tower tells The Irrawaddy.

Hundreds of thousands of people have been trafficked by criminal gangs and forced to work in scam centers and illegal online operations across Southeast Asia.

A group of 50 Chinese nationals plucked from scam centres in Myanmar crossed into Thailand to take a flight home, a Thai police official said on Thursday, as part of a multinational effort to repatriate 600 Chinese.

Myanmar handed over 300 Chinese scam centre workers to be repatriated through Thailand on Friday, as authorities intensify a crackdown on the illegal operations.

Chinese nationals found in scam centers in Myanmar crossed into Thailand for a second day on Friday (February 21) and were flown home, part of a multinational effort to repatriate hundreds of people caught up in massive internet fraud schemes.