On 17 November, Myanmar police arrested five male suspects involved in a large-scale phone scam. The suspects were apprehended following an investigation into reports of fraudulent phone calls that led to stolen money. Police detained Thet Paing (also known as Thet Khine, Zaw Thet Paing), Soe Yazar Hein (also known as Aung Htike, Lin Myat San, Ko Lin), Bo Bo Lin, Aung Zarni Phyo, and Soe Thiha (also known as Phyo Thiha Zaw) at the Zero Mile Tollgate on the Magway-Yangon Nanhtike Tawwin bus.
During the arrest, the police seized six mobile phones, five citizenship scrutiny cards, multiple bank cards (KBZ, AYA, YOMA Bank MPUs), K280,000 in cash, a diamond ring, and a gold bracelet. The suspects were part of a gang using fake identities and bank accounts to deceive victims into transferring money. They operated by calling phone numbers starting with the prefix “09 5,” and used fake accounts on platforms like KBZ Pay and Wave Pay to receive the stolen funds.
The group is accused of defrauding victims of large sums over several months. In August 2024, they stole K700,000; in September, K15.7 million; in October, K5 million; in November, K7.7 million, and an additional K2.5 million, totaling K31.6 million.
Investigation revealed that Thet Paing played a central role in disguising himself as other individuals during the scam, while the others, including Soe Yazar Hein, Soe Thiha, and their associates, gathered phone numbers and distributed the illicit gains.
The suspects have been charged under multiple sections of the Penal Code, including sections 420, 468, 471, 419, and 114, and are being held at Sanchaung Myoma Police Station for further action.
