Authorities in Laos detained 73 foreign nationals suspected of involvement in telecom and online scam operations during two separate enforcement actions carried out in the first week of June, according to police reports.

The arrests took place in Vientiane Province and Vientiane Capital.

In Vientiane Province, police detained 49 foreign nationals during coordinated inspections conducted on 1 to 2 June. The operation targeted three locations in Vang Vieng, Keo Oudom, and Viengkham districts that authorities said were being used as bases for internet-related criminal activities and telecom fraud.

Those detained included citizens of China, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Authorities also seized passports, computers, mobile phones, and other electronic devices believed to have been used in the alleged operations. Police said the suspects have been transferred to relevant authorities for further investigation and legal proceedings.

In a separate operation on 3 June, police raided a rented villa in Xaythany District, Vientiane Capital, following reports of suspicious activity at the property. Authorities detained 24 Chinese nationals and confiscated electronic devices and other equipment allegedly linked to telecom scam activities. 

Wider Anti-Scam Campaign

The latest arrests come amid a nationwide crackdown on online scams and cybercrime ordered by Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in late April, following a series of operations in May that resulted in the detention of more than 1,000 suspects across the country. 

On 7 May, authorities transferred 605 suspects linked to alleged online fraud operations in Savannakhet province to authorities in Vientiane for further investigation. 

Earlier raids on 11 and 12 May led to the arrest of 307 suspects, mostly Thai nationals, linked to alleged illegal online gambling activities. All were deported to Thailand on 21 May.

Meanwhile, in Bokeo, authorities arrested 230 suspects of six nationalities between 4 and 12 May.

A few days later, on 19 May, Bolikhamxay authorities detained 106 Thai nationals during raids on four locations, including a lottery company allegedly used as a front for illegal gambling operations.

On the same day in Vientiane, police arrested 88 suspected members of a telecommunications fraud network and seized thousands of mobile phones, more than 100 desktop computers, and two vehicles during the operation.

Police also dismantled a transnational telecommunications scam network in Vientiane’s Chanthabouly district on 26 May, arresting 27 suspects.