The Myanmar military says it has captured one of the most notorious scam compounds on the border with Thailand, as it reclaims key territory it lost in the ongoing civil war.
KK Park, south of the border town of Myawaddy, has been synonymous with online fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking for the past five years. Thousands of people were lured to the compound with the promise of well-paid jobs and were then forced to run elaborate scams, stealing billions of dollars from victims all over the world.
The military, which has been accused of longstanding ties to the scam business, now claims to have taken control of this complex as it expands its authority around Myawaddy, the main trade link to Thailand.
Recently, Myanmar's military has sought to push back insurgents in various parts of the country, aiming to maximize areas under its control as it prepares for elections starting in December. The election, however, is widely criticized by opposition forces who plan to block it in regions they control.
KK Park was established as an industrial park under an agreement between the Karen National Union (KNU), an ethnic insurgent group, and a Hong Kong firm, with links to the Chinese underworld. Researchers believe it has connections to Wan Kuok Koi, a notorious figure in organized crime.
The complex has grown rapidly and is highly visible from the Thai side of the border. Escapees from the site describe a brutal regime, where victims, many from Africa, faced long hours of forced labor under threats of torture and violence for failing to meet productivity targets.
In the latest military operations, over 2,000 workers were freed, and authorities confiscated Starlink satellite terminals typically used for online scams. The junta has blamed the KNU and local defense forces for illegally occupying the area.
Despite this raid, many scams continue in KK Park and numerous other compounds operating along the Thai-Myanmar border, which are still protected by local militia groups supporting the military. The ongoing military control is critical as it aims to suppress the KNU and secure transport links leading to Myawaddy, especially with preparations underway for a politically sensitive election.