Taiwanese warned of new anti-scam laws in Myanmar, Thailand

Taipei, Sept. 8 (CNA) The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) on Tuesday warned Taiwanese nationals against engaging in illicit activities overseas as new laws have taken effect in Myanmar and Thailand to curb fraud by foreign nationals.

MOFA spokesperson Hsiao Kuangwei (蕭光偉) said Myanmar enacted its "Anti-Online Scam Law" on July 31 to combat the rapid rise of cyber-scam operations and human trafficking in the country.

Under the law, those convicted of operating scam centers, running cryptocurrency scams, recruiting workers, or trafficking people into scam operations, regardless of nationality, face sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment.

Serious offenders could face the death penalty if their actions result in death.

Previously, similar offenders would typically be deported to their home countries and face more lenient penalties under Myanmar's immigration laws, Hsiao said.

Hsiao said MOFA only recently learned that three Taiwanese nationals were arrested in Myanmar earlier this month in connection with telecommunications fraud rings and that they are expected to face tougher sentences under the new law.

In Thailand, meanwhile, a new set of deportation regulations took effect in late August, stipulating how foreign nationals can be deported after being convicted of and serving sentences for certain crimes, according to Hsiao.

These include overstaying a visa, working or operating a business unlawfully, using or producing forged documents, or committing any other offense that carries a prison sentence of more than five years.

Along with swift deportation, offenders face permanent blacklisting and bans on reentering Thailand, Hsiao said.

According to the spokesperson, the new regulations in the two Southeast Asian countries demonstrate a regional consensus and determination to combat telecommunications fraud.

Hsiao urged Taiwanese nationals not to be lured into engaging in illicit activities overseas by promises of high pay or free overseas trips, warning that they could face prosecution under local laws.

Southeast Asia has in recent years become a major hub for global telecommunications fraud operations.

According to MOFA, between 2022 and January 2025, it helped 1,533 Taiwanese nationals who had voluntarily or involuntarily become involved in telecommunications fraud rings operating in the region return to Taiwan.

Of those, 748 were in Cambodia, 371 were in Thailand, 365 were n Myanmar and 49 were in Laos.

(Joseph Yeh)enditem/ls