New Scam Hubs Rise Near Myawaddy

MYAWADDY — Despite the junta’s claims of a crackdown, new Chinese‑run scam compounds are rapidly expanding across militia‑controlled territory south of Myawaddy in Karen State. Activists and residents say criminal networks displaced from the notorious KK Park have simply regrouped in fortified sites designed to evade scrutiny.

Locals report that at least seven new buildings, including two five‑storey structures, have been erected in Mitta Lin Myaing, about 8 km south of town, under the watch of the Border Guard Force (BGF). Trucks carrying materials arrive daily, and villagers have been warned not to speak out. “They are working around the clock, with lights illuminating the site at night,” one resident said.

One of the largest compounds, Qingsong Park — dubbed “KK Park 2.0” — lies just 5 km from the demolished original site. Satellite images show rows of new buildings, suggesting coordinated expansion across multiple locations. Activists describe the industry as entering a “mutated and upgraded phase,” shifting from massive centres to dispersed hideouts scattered across the region.

Mae Htaw Thalay, under BGF Brigade 4, is said to be at the heart of the relocation effort. Residents allege the militia is facilitating the movement of workers and equipment from KK Park and Shwe Kokko, taking payments to secure new sites.

The junta has promoted its raids on those hubs as proof of cooperation with China and Thailand, but critics argue the operations were largely cosmetic. Senior staff were moved out in advance, while thousands of workers fled unhindered.

Meanwhile, recruitment continues openly on Telegram, with syndicates offering salaries of up to 100,000 baht (£2,200) for online fraud roles. Locals estimate tens of thousands of foreign nationals now work in scam operations across Myawaddy Township.

Analysts warn these centres are more than criminal enterprises: they are financial pillars sustaining the junta’s war effort. The United States has launched a Scam Center Strike Force to target such networks across Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, underscoring the growing international concern.

-2026-02-24