Scam Centers Thrive Across Southeast Asia
Scam centers in Southeast Asia are on the rise, despite government crackdowns. Victims worldwide lose billions of dollars annually to sophisticated online schemes, while hundreds of thousands of workers are subjected to forced labor to keep these operations running.
The typical scam begins innocuously—a text message offering a weekend job, or a friendly “hello” from an unknown number—but the ultimate goal is theft. Workers, often housed in large, self-contained compounds, spend 12–16 hour days sending messages and luring victims from across the globe.
Crackdowns in Myanmar and Thailand
Last month, the Myanmar military raided KK Park, one of the region’s most notorious scam complexes near the Thai border. Authorities claimed to shut down the site, but civil society groups reported parts of the compound were still operational. Around 1,500 laborers fled, including hundreds from India, and many others from China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
Thailand has been working with foreign governments to repatriate the workers. On November 6, India repatriated a large group of its nationals via the Indian Air Force. Despite these crackdowns, KK Park is just one of dozens of centers along the border, with hundreds more across Southeast Asia.
Origins and Structure of Scam Centers
Most scam compounds are rural, sprawling facilities, complete with sleeping quarters, shops, and entertainment for staff. They often operate under the protection of local elites and can exist as standalone buildings, floors within office blocks, or even rented homes in urban areas.
The industry emerged from online and physical casinos, especially targeting Chinese high-rollers. During the pandemic, when travel restrictions reduced legitimate customers, some casinos pivoted to online scams, defrauding targets worldwide.
Forced and Willing Labor
It is estimated that at least 120,000 people in Myanmar and another 100,000 in Cambodia are held in forced labor conditions at scam centers, according to a 2023 UN report. Laborers are often lured with promises of high-paying, easy office jobs but face passport confiscation, beatings, and restricted freedom if they fail to meet quotas.
Initially dominated by Chinese-speaking workers, scam centers now employ people from 56 countries, ranging from Indonesia to Liberia. Senior management enjoys freedom of movement, while ordinary workers are confined.
Global Impact of Southeast Asia Scam Networks
Southeast Asia-based scammers use AI-powered translation tools to target victims worldwide, conducting schemes involving:
- Cryptocurrency investment frauds
- Online task scams
- Romance scams
- Bogus investment pitches
For example, in March 2024, Philippine authorities raided a scam operation targeting Chinese nationals, where scammers impersonated executives at state-owned companies to defraud victims of large sums.
In Cambodia, 50 South Koreans were repatriated in 2025 for their roles in online scam operations. In the U.S., prosecutors charged Chen Zhi, a Chinese-Cambodian businessman, with defrauding 250 Americans out of millions of dollars, including $400,000 lost in cryptocurrency. Americans alone lost at least $10 billion in 2024 to Southeast Asia-based scams.
Challenges in Combatting Scam Networks
Despite government raids and rescues, many operators remain at large. Activists warn that without arresting key figures, including Chinese mafia and transnational syndicates, the cycle of scams will continue.
“If we only rescue the victims, and don’t arrest anybody, then there will be no point,” said Jay Kritiya, coordinator of the Civil Society Network for Victim Assistance in Human Trafficking.
Scam centers are constantly evolving, and new facilities continue to surface across Southeast Asia and the world.
Conclusion
Southeast Asia remains a hub for online and offline scam operations, combining forced labor, criminal networks, and transnational fraud. While government crackdowns and international cooperation have helped repatriate workers and shut down some centers, the industry persists, highlighting the ongoing challenge of global digital crime and human trafficking.
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