Efforts to shut down online scam centers in Myanmar appeared to gain momentum on Monday as a top Chinese security official visited both sides of the Thai-Myanmar border.

BANGKOK -- The Thai government's crackdown on the online scam industry in neighboring Myanmar has brought cross-border land trade to a virtual standstill in many areas.

A group of 200 Chinese nationals plucked from scam centres in Myanmar crossed into Thailand and were flown home on Thursday, as part of a multinational effort to repatriate hundreds caught up in massive internet fraud schemes,