Myanmar’s military administration has launched a major crackdown on online fraud gangs in the southeastern border region. The country’s Ministry of Information announced on 9 November that 101 buildings have been demolished so far, with another 47 in the process of being demolished.
The buildings include dormitories, a four-story hospital, a spa, a gym and a two-story karaoke parlour — all of which were part of the notorious online fraud den “KK Park.”
Myanmar’s Notorious Scam Center
KK Park is located in Myanmar’s Myawaddy region, which borders Mae Sot district in Thailand’s Tak province.
It has long been known as a hub for Chinese and Southeast Asian crime centers. It has been the site of billions of dollars in online fraud, love traps and fake business schemes.
Last month, the Myanmar military conducted raids there and arrested more than 2,000 suspected fraudsters, while at least 1,500 people fled across the border to Thailand.
Reports of Explosions and Panic On The Border
Local residents said that occasional explosions have been heard in the border area since the operation began. The army used heavy machinery to demolish 83 buildings and destroyed 18 buildings by blowing them up.
Meanwhile, Thai authorities said that at least 240 of the suspects who fled were Indian nationals, who have already been sent back to India.
International Pressure and China’s Role
According to analysts, the military government’s operation is largely a result of international pressure. About 7,000 fraud workers were repatriated to the country earlier this year under Chinese supervision.
In addition, Thailand is trying to disable fraud centers by cutting off internet connections and power supply along the border.
Even the US company SpaceX recently said that it has turned off the signals of 2,500 Starlink satellite terminals used around suspected scam centers in Myanmar.
More Active Fraud Centers On the Border
Although KK Park is now under military control, two other notorious fraud bases—Shwe Kokko and Tai Chang Project—are still active. These are secured by local armed groups, the Border Guard Force (BGF) and the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA), respectively.
Initiatives to Increase International Cooperation
Myanmar authorities have said they will work together with neighboring countries and international organizations to destroy online fraud rings.
In Cambodia, South Korea’s Foreign Minister and Prime Minister Hun Manet have already announced a joint initiative to combat online fraud.
Watch the video here:
@dwnews Myanmar says it blew up a cyberscam center near the Thai border, where hundreds of people were forced to defraud others under threat of torture and death. But critics say the crackdown is staged to defuse international anger.
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