Myanmar leader blames Starlink for scam surge

Myanmar’s president Min Aung Hlaing has accused Elon Musk’s satellite internet firm Starlink of fuelling the country’s booming online fraud industry, claiming devices are being used in scam centres along the border.

In his first major address to parliament since taking office in April, the former coup leader said his government was cracking down on what he called “serious crimes committed against the public”. He alleged that foreigners were largely responsible, importing Starlink equipment and computer accessories illegally.

Fraud factories have mushroomed in Myanmar’s conflict‑hit border regions, often staffed by trafficked workers. An AFP investigation last year revealed Starlink devices had become widespread in these compounds, enabling scammers to run romance and business cons worth tens of billions of dollars annually.

The military‑backed parliament this week approved a law allowing capital punishment for those who detain or violently coerce victims into working in scam centres. Analysts say the junta has long tolerated the industry but began trumpeting a crackdown earlier this year after pressure from China, its key ally.

A UN report published this month noted that enforcement actions have “displaced and dispersed” scam networks rather than dismantled them. Starlink, part of Musk’s SpaceX, dominates the global satellite communications market with thousands of satellites in orbit. The company said last October it had cut services to more than 2,500 devices linked to Myanmar scam centres.

AFP has contacted Starlink for comment on Min Aung Hlaing’s remarks. The issue underscores the scale of Myanmar’s cybercrime crisis, where collapsing governance and ongoing civil war have created fertile ground for criminal networks.

-2026-08-02