Myanmar’s military announced the arrest of nearly 1,600 foreign nationals over five days in a high-profile crackdown on internet scam operations along the Thai border. Authorities said the raids targeted the notorious Shwe Kokko gambling and fraud hub.
Sprawling fraud factories have proliferated in Myanmar’s conflict-affected border regions, employing thousands of workers and trafficked foreigners. Scammers use these compounds to defraud internet users with romance and business cons worth tens of billions of dollars annually.
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The junta claimed it confiscated 2,893 computers, 21,750 mobile phones, 101 Starlink satellite receivers, 21 routers, and other industrial materials used in online scams. Video footage showed hundreds of devices being destroyed, including crushed monitors and smashed phones.
Analysts note the crackdown follows pressure from China, a key military backer, which is increasingly concerned about its citizens being targeted. Observers suggest some previous raids were staged to show action while minimizing losses to groups allied with the junta.
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Scam victims across Southeast and East Asia lost up to $37 billion in 2023 alone, according to a UN report, highlighting the massive scale of fraud operations that exploit weak governance in Myanmar’s borderlands.
The proliferation of Starlink satellite receivers at scam sites prompted Elon Musk’s company to disable more than 2,500 devices. Authorities continue to monitor and dismantle illegal operations, though experts warn that the industry remains resilient amid ongoing conflict and limited oversight.