US Sanctions Myanmar Militia and Leader Saw Chit Thu over Cyber Scam Operations - May 2025

The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the Karen National Army (KNA), a militia in Myanmar, and its leader Saw Chit Thu, for their involvement in large-scale cyber scams [1, 2, 3]. The sanctions, announced on Monday, May 5, 2025, target the KNA, Saw Chit Thu, and his two sons, Saw Htoo Eh Moo and Saw Chit Chit [1, 2, 3]. The KNA, which controls a region on the Thai-Burmese border, is accused of profiting from cyber scam schemes by leasing land to organized crime groups and providing support for human trafficking, smuggling, and utilities for scam operations [1, 2, 3, 5]. These scams, often targeting Americans, have resulted in billions of dollars in losses [1, 2, 7]. The Treasury Department's action blocks Saw Chit Thu and his sons from conducting business in the U.S. and prohibits Americans from engaging in financial transactions with them [1, 2]. Saw Chit Thu, previously sanctioned by the UK and EU, has been described as a key enabler of scam operations, providing security at scam compounds [1, 2, 6]. The KNA's involvement highlights the growing problem of cybercrime in Southeast Asia and the need for coordinated international efforts to combat these illicit activities [2, 8].