Chinese bloggers claim that the trail of evidence over telecom scamming (Zhapian) business may even lead to the Junta leader himself General Min Aung Hlaing

Top military officers, including the Junta's Deputy Interior Minister Major General Aung Lin Tun, are under investigation at an interrogation center, for their suspected involvement in the telecom scamming (Zhapian) businesses, a military source confirmed on April 4.

Since the last week in March, the Junta has initiated interrogations of several generals, including the Deputy Interior Minister at the request of China, amidst suspicion of their connections to the Zhapian business operating in northern Shan State, and Shwe Kokko area in Karen State during their tenure in those regions.

“Deputy Interior Minister Major General Aung Lin is among those being interrogated, alongside several retired generals”, the source said. The source, fearing for his safety, refused to reveal the list of generals being investigated by the Office of the Chief of Military Security Affairs (OCMSA) in Naypyidaw.

A China-Myanmar affairs analyst mentioned that Chinese intelligence is highly engaged with regards to Zhapian enterprises in Myanmar, with numerous Chinese news blogs alleging that the leader of all Myanmar-based Zhapian enterprises could be the coup leader, Min Aung Hlaing himself.

According to the source, Major General Aung Lin Tun was stationed in Laukkai, capital of Kokang Self-Administered Zone, during the era of National League for Democracy (NLD) government, where he established close connections with four powerful families accused by the Chinese government of leading the Zhapian criminal gangs.

Initially the Junta provided asylum to 10 Kokang leaders with ties to coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, such as Bai Suo Cheng, Liu Zheng Xiang, and Wei Huai Ren, but they were then transferred to Chinese authorities at Naypyidaw Airport on the evening of January 30.

Since then, China has been consistently forwarding lists of military generals, administrative officials, and other relevant individuals associated with Zhapian enterprises to the Junta.

"Many more individuals might face interrogation. Certain individuals with influential backgrounds are currently not being questioned. For instance, someone linked to General Nyo Saw is awaiting promotion in Naypyidaw”, the source added.

General Nyo Saw, entrusted with both military and civilian business matters, emerged as Min Aung Hlaing's most relied-upon figure following the dismissal of Lieutenant General Moe Myint Tun and Lieutenant General Soe Htut.

Major General Aung Lin Tun, presently undergoing interrogation in Naypyidaw, graduated from the 33rd batch of the Defense Services Academy, assumed the role of Deputy Interior Minister under the coup regime, and is widely known for his substantial wealth.