Asian Angle | How uneven borders fuel Myanmar’s vast and resilient scam economy
Fieldwork along the borders of China and Thailand reveals how uneven controls allow fraud networks to thrive despite crackdowns
The size of the scam industry has led to sustained security crackdowns in recent years. This has included a number of joint operations involving police forces from multiple countries. However, despite releasing tens of thousands of trafficked workers from these compounds, the raids have done little to wipe out scam operations.
In October, for example, Myanmar’s military stormed a major scam hub in southeastern Kayin State. The operation was, according to military spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun, proof that the army would “completely eradicate online scam activities from their roots”. But, just days later, local reporting indicated that work was continuing uninterrupted at other compounds in the area.
China’s border with northern Myanmar is heavily secured. Before travellers reach the border, they must pass internal checkpoints on the main roads that lead into the border counties of Yunnan province.