06/08/2026
Myanmar's Position on FATF Public Statement Issued on 19 June 2026
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
