Myanmar’s military government’s declaration of a “zero tolerance” policy against cyber fraud has so far failed to produce tangible results on the ground. While authorities have showcased raids, demolitions and even aerial strikes on the notorious KK Park cyberscam hub under mounting international pressure, the reality along Myanmar’s border regions tells a different story—one where the cyber fraud industry continues to operate, adapt and expand.
An investigation by the Associated Press has found that at least 30 large-scale cyberscam compounds remain active in areas bordering Thailand. In many of these locations, online scam operations continue despite enforcement actions, while thousands of trafficked individuals remain trapped inside, forced to defraud victims across the globe.
KK Park crackdown: Symbolism over substance?
On October 20, Myanmar’s state media announced a major raid on KK Park, followed by a week-long demolition drive. In November, the military leadership vowed to eliminate cyberscams “from their roots.” State-run outlets broadcast images of collapsed buildings, seized Starlink terminals and armed personnel, projecting an image of decisive action.
However, satellite imagery analysis conducted by the London-based Center for Information Resilience (CIR) raises doubts about the scale of the crackdown. Of the 413 buildings the authorities claimed to have destroyed, only 31 were fully demolished, while 78 suffered partial damage. Many structures remain largely intact, with roofs and internal frameworks preserved—fueling concerns that the facilities could be rapidly rebuilt and reused.
Scam networks adapt with speed
Interviews with current and former scam workers indicate that the industry responded swiftly to the damage inflicted at KK Park. Thousands of workers were relocated to other scam centers within Myanmar or transferred to operations in Cambodia, Mauritius and parts of Africa.
At the same time, recruitment advertisements have surged on encrypted messaging platforms such as Telegram. These listings seek operators for scams targeting victims in the United States and Europe, often promising “remote work,” minimal supervision and flexible attendance—clear signs that operations are being reorganized rather than dismantled.
Starlink shutdown fails to cripple operations
SpaceX’s announcement that it had disabled more than 2,500 Starlink units operating in Myanmar was initially viewed as a major setback for scam networks. However, AP found that Starlink connectivity remains active at multiple scam compounds. Workers reported that while some terminals were disabled, others continue to function, supplemented by alternative internet connections.
The findings suggest that scam operators had anticipated connectivity disruptions and had contingency systems in place well before enforcement actions began.
The grim human trafficking dimension
KK Park once housed thousands of workers, most of whom were victims of human trafficking, lured or coerced into cyber fraud through deception, confinement and violence. According to Thai military officials, only around 1,500 people have exited through official channels since the crackdown.
The fate of many others remains unclear. Several survivors told AP that they were forcibly transferred to other scam facilities, while those who resisted faced physical abuse and torture. One worker said his legs were covered in bruises from repeated beatings, adding that he sends daily messages pleading for help. “I just want to get out,” he said.
Questions over political will
Analysts and rights groups have long alleged that scam hubs along Myanmar’s borders operate under the protection of armed militias with links to the military establishment. Many of these compounds, including KK Park, are believed to function with the tacit support of ethnic armed groups aligned with the junta.
Jason Tower of the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime said the crackdown appears aimed at easing pressure from the United States and China rather than dismantling the criminal ecosystem.
“Unless the leaders of these syndicates are arrested and their assets seized, this cannot be described as a genuine enforcement effort,” he said.
Displacement, not dismantling
Experts warn that without sustained, transparent enforcement and international coordination, Myanmar’s cyberscam industry is likely to relocate rather than collapse. According to the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation, cyber scams cost Americans more than $16 billion last year alone.
Against this backdrop, Myanmar’s “zero tolerance” policy currently appears to function more as a political signal than a decisive strategy—falling short of the comprehensive action required to dismantle one of the world’s most lucrative transnational crime industries.
