1. On 19 June 2026, the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) issued a Public Statement regarding Myanmar.
2. Myanmar has observed from the
Public Statement that the FATF notes that fraud and cyberscam activities in
Myanmar remain extensive and present significant illicit finance risks, despite
some steps Myanmar has taken to tackle fraud and cyberscam operations,
including the formation of a national committee to combat online fraud and
gambling and strengthening regional and international cooperation. The FATF
calls on Myanmar to take appropriate action to address the illicit finance
risks associated with fraud and cyberscam threats and will continue to work
with Myanmar in this regard. In tackling these illicit finance threats, Myanmar
should have due regard for the victims of trafficking by criminal groups.
3. Myanmar fully recognizes that
online scams and cyber-enabled frauds not only facilitate money laundering but
also undermine the integrity of the financial system, serve as regional
security threats and have adverse impacts on countries within the region and
beyond.
4. The Central Bank of Myanmar,
through Notification 9/2020 dated 15 May 2020, has prohibited the use of
cryptocurrencies as legal tender. To date, investigations have not identified
evidence that cryptocurrencies generated from online scams have been diverted
into Myanmar’s regulated financial system. As many illicit financial
transactions are conducted through financial systems outside Myanmar, Myanmar
considers that effectively mitigating regional financial risks requires
enhanced regional and international cooperation.
5. While the Government of Myanmar
has designated the prevention and suppression of online scams and online
gambling as a national duty, Myanmar has been actively implementing a range of
measures. These measures include the establishment of the Central Supervisory
Committee for the Prevention and Suppression of Online Scams and Online
Gambling; efforts to establish the National Anti-Scam Centre (ASC); the
proceeding to enact an Anti-Online Scam Law; the enactment of a new Anti-Money
Laundering Law in 2026; extensive investigations and prosecutions of
individuals involved in online scams and cyber-enabled fraud; the repatriation
of victims of online scams, including foreign nationals identified during law
enforcement operations, to their respective countries; the deportation of
foreign nationals who entered Myanmar illegally to the relevant countries,
following due process under domestic law and on the basis of humanitarian
considerations and friendly relations between states; the destruction of
buildings, infrastructure, and electronic devices used in online scam centres
to prevent their re-establishment; and active bilateral, regional, and
international cooperation with neighbouring countries and international
partners. These efforts have also been communicated through official public
announcements and presented at regional and international meetings.
6. Myanmar also continues to
strengthen capacity-building and information-sharing by enhancing
intelligence-sharing mechanisms, strengthening cooperation among law
enforcement agencies, implementing training programmes, and reinforcing
operational coordination and collaboration among the relevant authorities.
7. Furthermore, Myanmar remains
firmly committed to implementing the FATF Recommendations to address the
remaining Action Items under the FATF process. Since its designation as a
High-Risk Jurisdiction Subject to a Call for Action in October 2022, Myanmar
has submitted its 17th Progress Report to the Asia-Pacific Joint Group (APJG).
Myanmar has actively participated in APJG face-to-face meetings and FATF
Plenary meetings. Of the 15 Action Items, Myanmar has addressed 13, with 2
Action Items remaining under the Action Plan. These developments demonstrate
that Myanmar’s High-Level authorities continue to show strong political
commitment and determination to address the remaining Action Items.
8. According to the United Nations
Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report, “Inflection Point: Global
Implications of Scam Centres, Underground Banking and Illicit Online
Marketplaces in South-East Asia (April 2025)”, online scam networks have
expanded by exploiting inaccessible areas, territories under the control of
non-State armed groups, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and other vulnerable
border areas across South-East Asia. The report further notes that these
criminal operations have spread beyond the Mekong region to Africa, South
America, the Pacific, and the Middle East. Myanmar recognizes that the online
scam activities occurring within its territory are part of broader
transnational online scam networks operating across multiple regions.
9. In conclusion, Myanmar reaffirms
its unwavering commitment to combatting money laundering, terrorist financing,
proliferation financing, online scams, and cyber-enabled fraud. Myanmar will
continue to strengthen its legal, regulatory, and operational framework in
compliance with the FATF Recommendations and international standards, enhance
its operational capabilities, and deepen international cooperation. Myanmar
respectfully requests that its continued efforts, the progress it has achieved,
and the strong political commitment it has consistently demonstrated be duly
taken into consideration in future assessments and discussions.
10. Furthermore, Myanmar calls upon
the international community to continue providing technical assistance,
information-sharing, and capacity-building support to all countries affected by
transnational organized criminal groups, on the basis that no single country
can effectively address these challenges alone, consistent with the principle
of shared responsibility.
11. Myanmar will continue to
cooperate closely with the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), the Asia Pacific
Group on Money Laundering (APG), the Egmont Group of Financial Intelligence
Units, and other relevant international partners, to safeguard the integrity of
the international financial system and effectively combat transnational
financial crime.
Anti-Money Laundering Central Body
31 July 2026
Nay Pyi Taw
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