Online fraud networks in Myanmar are still flourishing and full of pain

In February, thousands of people were released from illegal scam centers along the Myanmar-Thailand border. They were among about 7,000 people rescued from criminal syndicates, where many worked voluntarily or were forced to work for the scam organization.

The scam industry has been thriving for years, especially along Myanmar’s mountainous border, raking in billions of dollars a year through online scams and money laundering. Chinese and Thai authorities launched an official crackdown in February, but experts warn the industry will only grow stronger.

“Billions of dollars are being invested in these types of businesses,” said Kannavee Suebsang, a Thai lawmaker. “They (the scammers) will not stop.”

Satellite image shows KK Park in Myawaddy. Photo: Maxar Technologies

It is estimated that more than 100,000 people are still trapped in the scam centers, and billions of dollars continue to be invested in these illegal activities. Criminal groups are quickly adapting to new technology, using cryptocurrencies and artificial intelligence (AI) to improve the efficiency and speed of their scams.

One of the largest complexes is in Myawaddy, a border area in Myanmar where criminal syndicates operate scam centers like KK Park. It is heavily guarded, with high-rise buildings and telecommunications towers.

On the surface it looked like a legitimate commercial area, but inside was a different scene: dozens of people locked up, forced to work 17 hours a day, often tortured if they failed to meet quotas.

In particular, criminal groups are increasingly using deepfake technology to create fake personas to scam people. These organizations have become more sophisticated, capable of deploying malware, creating more sophisticated and ingenious scams.

Crime experts at the United Nations say the region’s fraud networks have evolved into a sophisticated threat that could spread to other regions, including Africa, South Asia and the Persian Gulf states. Corruption and lawlessness in Myanmar further facilitate these illicit activities.

Armed groups controlling Myawaddy, including the Karen Border Guard and the Democratic Karen People’s Army (DKBA), have agreed to help rescue victims from the scam centers after coming under pressure from Chinese and Thai authorities. However, these armed groups have also been accused of participating in the scams and profiting from them.

Myanmar’s Ministry of Information has pledged to investigate online scams, but experts say global cooperation is needed to get to the bottom of the problem. While the current crackdown has saved some victims, the number of people trapped and the trafficking has not decreased.

Chelsea’s story, whose husband was arrested and forced to work for the rackets, illustrates the horror of the situation. She said her husband was forced to work around the clock and was threatened if he did not comply. After months of waiting, she finally received good news that her husband was released, but he still faces many difficulties in returning home.

Experts warn that if the situation is left unchecked, this scam industry will continue to expand and become a global threat.

Ngoc Anh (according to CNN, Bangkok Post)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/mang-luoi-lua-dao-truc-tuyen-tai-myanmar-van-no-ro-va-day-nhuc-nhoi-post341408.html