MAE SOT (Thailand): Scam operations in Myanmar, blamed for defrauding victims worldwide of billions of dollars, appear to be expanding again despite earlier joint crackdowns, an AFP investigation has revealed. Satellite images and drone footage show new buildings and Starlink satellite dishes rapidly appearing inside guarded compounds near Myawaddy, along the Thailand—Myanmar border.
The resurgence comes months after regional efforts by Myanmar, Thailand, and China to dismantle such centres, which are linked to forced labour and human trafficking.
Authorities freed around 7,000 people earlier this year, mostly Chinese nationals, from compounds where workers were reportedly beaten and forced to commit online scams targeting victims globally through social media and phone cons. Many of these scam centres, often controlled by Chinese-led criminal syndicates, have shifted from gambling to large-scale cyber fraud schemes.
They include the notorious KK Park and Shwe Kokko compounds, which have reportedly resumed construction since March. Satellite data shows dozens of new or modified buildings being developed, suggesting operations are resuming despite pledges to eradicate them. The United States and the United Kingdom have imposed sanctions on key figures linked to these networks, freezing properties and targeting up to $15 billion (about RM63.4 billion) in assets tied to cybercrime operations.
The US Treasury estimated that Americans alone lost about $10 billion (about RM42.3 billion) to scams from Southeast Asia in 2023 — a sharp rise from the year before.
Concerns have also surfaced about the possible use of Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service by some of these operations.
The US Congress is investigating reports suggesting the technology has been used to restore connectivity to scam compounds after earlier disruptions. Governments across the region are reaffirming their cooperation to combat cross-border cybercrime and protect citizens from further exploitation.
Authorities are also intensifying inspections, tightening monitoring systems, and seeking international collaboration to dismantle these operations sustainably while addressing human trafficking and safety concerns. – AFP
