Kento Awashima(Nikkei)

Myanmar's proliferating scam centers. These borderland 'prisons' have three common features

asia.nikkei.com/static/vdata...
Visual investigation: Myanmar's proliferating scam centers

11.07.2025 06:36 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 0    📌 0

According to an April report by UNODC, scam compounds are scattered across Southeast Asia’s border regions.
Some Myanmar-based criminal groups have relocated to Laos and Cambodia in response to intensified crackdowns.

11.07.2025 06:36 — 👍 1    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Two individuals under U.S. and U.K. sanctions were listed as executives at companies suspected of investing in scam compounds around Myawaddy, Myanmar.
Documents provided by @justiceformyanmar.org

11.07.2025 06:36 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

Nikkei analyzed satellite images and social media footage to map the layout of scam compounds raided this year.
The sites are surrounded by fences and walls, with numerous watchtower-like structures.
Myanmar witness,@cen4infores.bsky.social, assisted in verifying the placement of structures.

11.07.2025 06:36 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

“Inside, that one is like a prison.”
A man from South Asia who says he was held for six months at KK Park -- one of the largest scam centers in Myanmar -- recounts his experience. He was forced to engage in romance scams.
Introduced via IJM, he spoke on condition of anonymity.

11.07.2025 06:36 — 👍 0    🔁 0    💬 1    📌 0

New: Nikkei Visual Investigation
Scam centers in eastern Myanmar are expanding.
At least 16 suspected sites have been identified along the Thai border. Construction continued at 8 of them even after large crackdown in February.
Analysis based on the satellite images from Planet Labs.

11.07.2025 06:36 — 👍 5    🔁 3    💬 1    📌 0

増殖するミャンマー特殊詐欺拠点　国境沿いの「監獄」、3つの特徴 ミャンマー東部の特殊詐欺拠点が拡大している。2025年2月の大規模摘発後も建設が続き、犯罪拠点を一掃できていないことがわかった。衛星画像と証言で実態に迫る。

Inside Myanmar’s scam compounds, trafficked workers are tortured & forced to scam 16+ hrs a day. Japan is not immune. Sites are still expanding.

We provided @nikkei.com docs showing two sanctioned individuals linked to Karen BGF listed as directors of biz investing in scam compounds buff.ly/0j3WT0G

08.07.2025 08:33 — 👍 3    🔁 3    💬 0    📌 0