A sprawling network of scam compounds along Myanmar’s border with Thailand has grown dramatically since the country’s 2021 military coup, with experts warning that up to 100,000 trafficked individuals may be trapped inside.

 

Centres like KK Park, Tai Chang, and Shwe Kokko—once empty fields—now resemble high-tech campuses, complete with villas, banks, and satellite internet. But behind the façade lies a brutal criminal industry, where trafficked workers are forced to run online scams under threat of torture and violence.

 

New drone footage and analysis from the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) show the number of scam centres has more than doubled, expanding by 5.5 hectares per month. Despite efforts to cut off electricity and internet access, compounds have adapted using Starlink terminals and floating docks to smuggle supplies.

 

Victims, including nationals from at least 11 countries, report being beaten, electrocuted, and held under armed guard. One survivor, Mateo from the Philippines, was lured by a fake job offer, then forced to scam elderly Americans online. Failure to meet quotas meant physical punishment.

 

Myanmar’s military, which has lost control of large swathes of territory, is accused of tolerating the scam industry as a financial lifeline. Analysts say dismantling the compounds would risk destabilising alliances with armed militias profiting from the trade.

 

International organisations warn that governments still underestimate the scale of the crisis. Amy Miller of Acts of Mercy International calls the global response “ignorant,” noting similar scam operations are already emerging in countries like Sri Lanka and Nigeria.

 

While some 7,000 victims have been rescued this year, the vast majority remain trapped. As one survivor put it: “For them, money is more important than human life.”

 

-2025-09-08

Must be just about the only industry in Myanmar using modern technology  ...

On 9/8/2025 at 9:25 AM, geovalin said:

A sprawling network of scam compounds along Myanmar’s border with Thailand has grown dramatically since the country’s 2021 military coup,

 

Very much so and IMO this is where Thailand should be placing its resources to tackle the problem and NOT Cambodia as the Peoples Party wants.

 

For reference Google;

 

Some factions within Thailand's People's Party are focused on tackling Cambodian casinos, viewing them as fronts for mafia-operated cyberfraud targeting Thais,

 

7 hours ago, mfd101 said:

Must be just about the only industry in Myanmar using modern technology  ...

Nonsense

For a start Thailand should close all land borders with Myanmar. 
Surely someone must know how the people ( Chinese ?) are running this ? 

There have been many who have escaped , including the girls forced to work in their brothels. Thailand must start educating all Thais as to what actually happens to them once they accept. Lured by a good wage which soon disappears.

"Victims"?? 😅😅😅

 

Is that new word for employees of illegal scam centers who get caught?