Myanmar scam centres booming despite crackdown, using Musk’s Starlink
The New Indian Express | Just months after a crackdown that was supposed to eradicate them, scam centers in Myanmar are expanding quickly, according to an AFP investigation.
The heavily guarded compounds are the source of scams that steal billions of dollars from victims across the world every year. Construction of dozens of new buildings continues in the massive compounds around Myawaddy on the Thailand-Myanmar border.
Up to 120,000 people may be being forced to commit online scams in the Myanmar centers, according to a UN report in 2023. Another 100,000 are likely being held in similar conditions in Cambodia.
At the same time, Starlink’s presence in the compounds has increased according to satellite images and drone footage.
It appears that Elon Musk’s Starlink service enables the compounds to continue their activities and grow, despite the crackdown. According to data from the APNIC Asian regional internet registry, Starlink was Myanmar's biggest internet provider every day from July 3 until October 1.
“It is abhorrent that an American company is enabling this to happen.”
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, Americans are among the top targets of Southeast Asia scammers, losing an estimated $10 billion last year, up 66% over the previous year.
"It is abhorrent that an American company is enabling this to happen,” said former California prosecutor Erin West, who now heads Operation Shamrock to campaign against the scam industry. In July 2024, West alerted Starlink that the mostly Chinese crime syndicates that run the compounds were using its dishes, but received no reply.
The U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee told AFP that it is investigating Starlink’s involvement with the centers. However, although they can call Musk to a hearing, they can’t compel him to testify.
Promises Not Kept
In February, China, Thailand, and Myanmar forced the militias that protect the scam compounds to eradicate them. They freed around 7,000 people — most Chinese citizens — from the brutal call centre-style system, which the United Nations says runs on forced labour and human trafficking.
Only weeks later, building resumed on several of the centers along the Moei River, which borders Thailand.
Satellite images show found dozens of buildings going up or being altered in KK Park, the largest compound, between March and September.
New roads and a roundabout had also been added, with the security checkpoint at its entrance greatly extended.
Drone footage shows major construction, with cranes and labourers building what appear to be large office blocks.
At least five new ferry crossings across the Moei River have been built to supply the compounds from Thailand
Construction has also been active at several of the other 27 suspected scam centres in the Myawaddy cluster, including the notorious Shwe Kokko centres.
SpaceX, which owns Starlink, did not reply to AFP requests for comment.
Full article: Myanmar scam centres booming despite crackdown, using Musk’s Starlink: Investigation
More Coverage: Starlink and Scam Centers
