A growing web of scam compounds across Southeast Asia is trapping thousands of workers in forced labor. These scams often begin with a simple message—“Hello” or “Are you available on weekends?”—but end in financial ruin for victims worldwide.
In Myanmar, a military raid last month targeted the notorious KK Park near the Thai border. Over 1,500 laborers fled, including hundreds from India, as Thailand worked with other countries to repatriate them. Yet KK Park is just one of many similar centers scattered across the region.
Scam compounds operate like self-contained towns, with dormitories, shops, and entertainment areas. Many evolved from casino operations that pivoted to online fraud during the pandemic. The United Nations estimates over 220,000 people across Myanmar and Cambodia are trapped in these cybercrime hubs.
Workers are lured by fake job ads promising high pay, only to have their passports seized and movements restricted. Those who fail to meet scam targets face violence.
Despite crackdowns and rescues, criminal networks remain intact. Activists warn that unless the masterminds—often protected by powerful elites—are caught, the exploitation and scams will continue to spread globally.
