The six Mekong–Lancang nations have pledged to strengthen joint action against the surge of transnational telecom and online fraud, agreeing on urgent measures that emphasise real-time data exchange, deployment of cyber liaison officers, and tighter controls on SIM-card registration. The commitments were finalised during a ministerial meeting held on Nov 14 in Kunming, China, with representatives from China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam in attendance.
The meeting reflected growing concern across the region about the rapid expansion of online scam networks, many of which operate seamlessly across borders and exploit gaps in law enforcement coordination. Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop Bhuridej, Thailand’s assistant national police chief, described the situation as a “cross-border criminal ecosystem” that has victimised citizens in all six countries. He reaffirmed Thailand’s dedication to transparency and cooperation and urged partner nations to enhance reciprocal efforts.
Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop presented insights from Thailand’s Anti-Cyber Scam Center (ACSC), an integrated platform connecting financial institutions, telecom companies, and intelligence agencies. According to ACSC analysis, funds siphoned from victims’ bank accounts—often through mule accounts—are predominantly transferred abroad. Additionally, the digital footprints of scam operations frequently trace back to locations outside Thailand, particularly in border regions and special economic zones known to host scam syndicates.
To address these challenges, Thailand proposed three key mechanisms aimed at streamlining regional coordination. The first involves establishing a shared database containing details of mule accounts, phone numbers, and IP addresses, supported by an automated alert system to flag suspicious activity. The second mechanism calls for the deployment of cyber liaison officers in each member country to enable same-day communication and swift operational responses. The third proposal recommends stricter telecommunications oversight, including mandatory identity verification for SIM-card registration, limits on individual SIM ownership, active monitoring of high-risk numbers, and even temporary shutdowns of areas associated with persistent scam activity.
“Crime has no borders, and neither should enforcement,” Pol Lt Gen Jirabhop stated, underscoring the urgency of enhanced cooperation. He highlighted successful joint operations between Thailand and Cambodia, which have resulted in the dismantling of several scam networks, seizure of illicit assets, and rescue of victims forced to work in scam compounds. Thailand has also expressed readiness to deepen intelligence sharing with China, which has led coordinated efforts to combat cross-border fraud.
Recent multilateral crackdowns include joint China–Myanmar–Thailand raids targeting criminal hubs along their shared borders, as well as trilateral actions involving China, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. During the meeting, China’s Assistant Minister for Public Security Liu Zhongyi commended Thailand for demonstrating “clear, sincere and decisive measures” against cross-border cybercrime.
By the end of the discussions, the six Mekong–Lancang nations had endorsed 21 cooperation points. These range from shared evidence-gathering and asset seizure to joint operations, extradition procedures, annual coordination meetings, expanded cross-border intelligence channels, and multilingual public-awareness campaigns. The strengthened framework marks a significant step toward curbing the sophisticated scam networks exploiting vulnerabilities across the region.
