Myanmar’s Border Regions Host Remote Cybercrime Bases, Says UN Report
Organized Crime Gangs Establish Scam Hubs in Myanmar’s Border Areas with China
According to a recent report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organized crime gangs behind Asia’s “scamdemic” have set up bases in Myanmar’s border areas with China. These criminal groups, primarily from China and Taiwan, have established themselves in the Mekong region, bombarding the internet with romance scams, extortion, and investment pyramid schemes.
Billions Lost to Scams, Crackdowns in Cambodia and Philippines
The UNODC report highlights that billions of dollars have been scammed by these powerful crime groups. While some crackdowns have taken place in Cambodia and the Philippines, the criminals have refined their scams from fortified compounds under the protection of ethnic rebels in conflict-torn Myanmar.
Two Major Crime Bases Identified in Myanmar
The report identifies two major crime bases in Myanmar:
- One around the Myawaddy region near the western Thai border town of Mae Sot
- Another along the eastern frontier with China, stretching through Shan State, Wa State, and up to Kokang, which borders China’s Yunnan province
Myanmar’s Autonomous Special Regions and Territories
Myanmar is home to non-state armed groups that control important border areas and have a history of working with organized crime syndicates. These groups operate numerous casinos in autonomous special regions and territories, including:
- 20 estimated to be operating along the Thai border
- Casinos offering tourism and tax breaks for investors
Scam Hubs Suck in Thousands of Victims
The scam hubs are believed to have sucked in tens of thousands of people from Asia and beyond to run their cyber cons. Many of these victims are young, educated individuals who were recruited for high-paying jobs in tech or internet sales, only to realize they had been trafficked into forced criminality.
Government Unable to Comment
The Myanmar government was unable to comment on the issue. However, China and some Southeast Asian countries have agreed to work together to tackle the scam crisis.
Law Enforcement Operations Displace Criminals
The UNODC report highlights that law enforcement operations against syndicates in some countries have caused a partial displacement, with criminals moving their infrastructure to remote areas where they can operate with impunity.
Compounds Fortified Against Escape
In Myanmar, most compounds are located in or near special economic zones, which offer:
- Tourism and tax breaks for investors
- Large purpose-built structures designed specifically for online scam and fraud operations
These compounds are fortified to prevent victims from escaping, with:
- Armed guards
- Metal bars on windows and balconies
Evidence of Abuse and Torture
The UNODC report highlights evidence of abuse and torture from people who have fled the scam compounds. Camera phone videos show Thai individuals being marched around an exercise zone by armed guards as punishment for not meeting sales targets.
Personal Account of a Trafficking Victim
A Thai woman who was trafficked into a scam compound in Shan State shared her harrowing experience, saying she was:
- Forced to work long hours without pay
- Had to rely on family members or NGOs to negotiate her release through ransom payments
UNODC Report Highlights Myanmar’s Role in Human Trafficking
The UNODC report emphasizes that the majority of people in Myanmar’s scam centers have crossed the border from Thailand, making it an origin and transit country for trafficking people into forced criminality.