Scam centers in Myanmar
Major scam center buildings in Shwe Kokko, Myanmar. | |
| Founded | c. 1990s |
|---|---|
| Years active | 1990s/2000s–present |
| Territory | Myanmar, specifically near Chinese and Thai border |
| Activities | Organized crime, including cybercrime, online fraud, human trafficking, child labour, forced labor |
| Allies | Other scam centers in Southeast Asia |
Scam centers are large compounds of fraud and criminal activities which are often disguised as business parks or towns around the country. In Myanmar, they are usually located in border towns near Thailand, especially around Myawaddy-Mae Sot and Shwe Kokko.
According to the 2023 United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights report, an estimated 120,000 people across Myanmar were held in situations where they are forced to work on online scams. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime estimates that these activities bring in nearly US$40 billion a year for criminal gangs.