Myanmar’s military announced it seized more than 30 Starlink satellite internet terminals during a raid on a major online scam operation near the Thai border, highlighting the illicit use of advanced technology by criminal networks.
The raid on “KK Park” uncovered over 2,000 workers, according to the military. This operation follows an Agence France-Presse (AFP) investigation that exposed the rapid expansion of such scam operations and the black-market proliferation of Starlink devices.
Starlink, a satellite internet service provided by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, is not officially licensed for use in Myanmar. However, data from the Asia Pacific Network Information Centre (APNIC) indicates that Starlink was the most-used internet provider in Myanmar from July 3 to October 1.
Online scam centers, which often employ forced labor to perpetrate “romance scams” or investment fraud, have flourished in Myanmar’s border regions since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A large-scale multinational crackdown, involving Thai, Chinese, and Myanmar authorities, began in February. This initiative led to the liberation of approximately 7,000 workers, many of whom claimed to be victims of human trafficking.
Despite these efforts, AFP’s investigation observed rapid construction of new buildings in scam hub areas. It also noted the visible installation of Starlink satellite dishes on the roofs of these new structures.
Myanmar state media, “The Global New Light of Myanmar,” confirmed the military’s action at “KK Park,” which is situated near the Thai-Myanmar border. The report stated that approximately 200 buildings were secured and nearly 2,200 workers were found within the compound.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) estimated that scam operations across Southeast Asia defrauded individuals of up to $37 billion in 2023.
Satellite imagery also showed a rapid increase in the construction of office buildings and dormitories across roughly 27 scam center locations. These facilities are clustered along the Moei River, which defines a section of the Thai-Myanmar border.
While Myanmar became a significant center for these scam operations following its 2021 civil war, such criminal networks persist in other countries in the region. South Korean police recently announced they had issued arrest warrants for 45 suspects extradited from Cambodia in connection with cyber fraud.