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Myanmar's Karen National Army subjected to US sanctions over allegations of aiding cyber fraud activities.

First-ever pope adopts name Pope Francis, in homage to 13th-century saint, St. Francis of Assisi.

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Myanmar's Karen National Army subjected to US sanctions over allegations of aiding cyber fraud activities.

"Straight Talkin' On the KNA's Shady Dealings"

****The Karen National Army (KNA) claims territories in Shwe Kokko and Myawaddy, bordering Thailand's Karen state.

Overseas, this ethnic militia's been marked by Uncle Sam as a bad egg, accused of scamming and human trafficking. The US Treasury Department recently imposed sanctions on the KNA, its leader Colonel Saw Chit Thu, and his sons, Saw Htoo Eh Moo and Saw Chit Chit.

The allegations? Running scam operations that rob citizens blind and human trafficking. A Treasury Department statement said it like this: "Cyber scam operations ... generate billions in revenue for criminal kingpins." Deputy Treasury Secretary Michael Faulkender added, "Treasury is committed to holding these crooks accountable."

Now, those who get hired for the scams often don't know what they're signing up for. They're tricked into virtual slavery, used as pawns in online scams, like romance ploys, bogus investments, and illegal gambling.

Fact is, when the sanctions drop, these guys can't touch money or assets under US control, and no American can offer 'em financial services. Saw Chit Thu's already been dinged by the EU and the UK for human trafficking and profit from these scam compounds.

Lieutenant Colonel Naing Maung Zaw, a KNA spokesperson, claimed their activities focus on regional development, not scams. He slammed the US sanctions as unwarranted, saying, "They’re doing it because they can."

Border regions have de facto control in areas where their minority groups are strong. The KNA may be the muscle in Shwe Kokko and Myawaddy, but critics point fingers at the KNA for playing a part in the criminal activity happening there.

Naing Maung Zaw admitted that some scam operations occurred in KNA-controlled areas. He said the military and KNA have been working together to repatriate foreign workers from scam centers. By February, more than 7,000 workers had been returned to their home countries.

Still, over 10,000 people remain in KNA-controlled areas, with the group vowing to stamp out these scam activities.

Case Study: KNA and Organized Crime

  • Premier militia group in Myanmar's Karen State, formerly known as the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF)
  • Operating since 2024, and with ties to Myanmar military
  • Charged with facilitating and enabling human trafficking, cyber scams, and cross-border smuggling
  • Sanctioned by US, UK, and EU for involvement in organized crime and human rights abuses

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Kayin state, mainly inhabited by the Karen ethnic minority, has been in conflict since the military seized power in 2021. The US has previously imposed sanctions on Myanmar's military leaders and state-owned banks for alleged human rights violations.

Insights:

  • The KNA's roots can be traced back to the Karen Border Guard Force(BGF), which rebranded in 2024.
  • The KNA operates mainly in Shwe Kokko and Myawaddy, areas known for organized crime.
  • The group allegedly leases land and provides utilities to scam operators while also enabling human trafficking and scam operations.
  • The KNA's involvement in these activities makes it a key facilitator of organized crime in the region.
  • International law enforcement and human rights organizations are now monitoring the KNA closely.
  1. The Karen National Army (KNA), formerly known as the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), has been operating in Myanmar since 2024 and is based primarily in Shwe Kokko and Myawaddy, regions known for organized crime.
  2. Accused by the US Treasury Department of running scam operations that generate billions in revenue for criminal kingpins, the KNA's leader, Colonel Saw Chit Thu, and his sons, Saw Htoo Eh Moo and Saw Chit Chit, have been marked by overseas entities as a bad egg, with sanctions imposed on them for involvement in organized crime and human rights abuses.
  3. Despite claims by KNA spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Naing Maung Zaw that their activities focus on regional development, critics point fingers at the KNA for playing a part in the criminal activity happening in the regions they control, such as human trafficking and scam operations.
  4. International law enforcement and human rights organizations are now monitoring the KNA closely as they allegedly lease land and provide utilities to scam operators, making the KNA a key facilitator of organized crime in the region.
The recently departed religious leader adopted the title Pope Francis, a name inspired by the 13th-century saint, Saint Francis of Assisi.
The recently deceased religious leader adopted the title Pope Francis, named after Saint Francis of Assisi from the 13th century.
Pope Francis, the recently deceased leader, was the first to adopt the title of the same name, an homage to the 13th-century figure, Saint Francis of Assisi.

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