Senator Maggie Hassan has sounded the alarm over reports that criminal groups in Southeast Asia are using Starlink internet to run transnational fraud schemes. In a letter addressed to Elon Musk, the SpaceX CEO was urged to take immediate action to terminate access to satellite service used by scam compounds targeting American citizens.
These scams—often involving complex operations in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos—allegedly defraud Americans out of billions of dollars. The U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network has linked these groups to widespread online fraud and human trafficking, using Starlink’s reach to bypass local infrastructure restrictions.
The Rise of Scam Compounds and Digital Havens
What once began as isolated digital fraud has evolved into large-scale criminal enterprises housed in guarded compounds, often staffed with trafficked individuals forced into scamming. Starlink’s reliable connectivity has reportedly allowed these operations—many in remote border zones—to function undisturbed.
According to Senator Hassan, SpaceX’s own service rules allow disconnection for fraudulent use, yet scam networks continue to access Starlink. “SpaceX has a responsibility to block criminals from using the service to target Americans,” she wrote. Despite the senator’s call to action, SpaceX has not publicly responded.
A Global Crisis with Human Costs
The scope of the problem extends beyond internet fraud. According to the United Nations, these compounds have trafficked hundreds of thousands of victims, often under false job offers, then forced them into cybercrime. Operations along the Thai-Myanmar border are particularly notorious.
Efforts to curb these activities have escalated. Thailand has cut off electricity, fuel, and internet services to five Myanmar border towns to disrupt the scam networks. The situation gained further urgency after the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was kidnapped upon arriving in Thailand and later rescued in Myanmar.
Growing International Pressure on Tech Accountability
As pressure mounts, the debate is now shifting to tech accountability. Senator Hassan’s appeal to Musk underscores the need for satellite internet providers to monitor usage more closely, especially in conflict zones or regions with minimal law enforcement.
Experts say this could set a precedent for how companies like SpaceX balance access with ethical responsibility. While Starlink offers life-changing connectivity in underserved areas, its misuse by criminal syndicates is becoming an international security threat.
If unaddressed, the issue could lead to greater regulation of satellite services—and force a reckoning in the private space industry.