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Myanmar’s military junta government has demolished 101 buildings in the notorious KK Park cybercrime hub, which foreign nationals used for vast and lucrative online scam operations.
The 148-building complex near Myawaddy in the Southern part of Myanmar, located near the border with Thailand, was infamous for housing myriad scam operations run by “foreign nationals,” reports say. Individuals involved in the call center allegedly entered Myanmar illegally through the Thai border.
The Myanmar government intends to demolish the remaining 47 buildings soon. Authorities hope the destruction heads off any future attempts to recreate scam centers in the area. The structures that have been destroyed include a wide variety of buildings, ranging from residential buildings to shops and hotels. The area also housed activity centers like gyms, restaurants, spas, and a hospital.
Myanmar authorities claim they have identified and detained more than 10,000 foreigners. Local reports claim more than 9,000 of them have been sent back to their countries of origin.
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Are Demolitions of Scam Centers for Show?
However, at least one media source doubts the veracity of the government’s supposed crackdown on the well-known scam centers. An expert interviewed by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation called the demolitions “political theater.”
“[If they were serious] they would start to issue arrest warrants for known perpetrators, investigate them,” said Jason Tower, a senior analyst for a transnational group working against organized crime. “There’d be legal proceedings. There would be joint military police operations. You’re not seeing any of that stuff right now.”
Tower added that the Myanmar government may simply be extorting the scam operators for proceeds from the operations. The demolitions, in turn, may have stemmed more from a business deal gone bad than the desire to clean up the country. Tower said that the demolitions may serve dual purposes of placating foreign governments pressuring Myanmar for action, while also showing scammers that threats of government intervention have teeth.
History of KK Park
The history of KK Park goes back at least five years. It began with a lease agreement in early 2020 and was originally a small town set up for border trade. But it became infamous and known as a committed scam center once taken over by organized criminals, many from China who were fleeing a crackdown in Cambodia.
Nefarious activities there reportedly included investment fraud, internet scams, cryptocurrency catfishing, and even human trafficking.
Those who escaped the town gave reports of brutal conditions to the BBC. Foreigners had allegedly been lured in by promises of lucrative jobs. Scam center operators then forced them to work long hours. They tortured and beat workers who refused to comply and/or didn’t meet quotas.
Despite the Myanmar junta cutting off power to the area in 2023, criminals continued to operate via satellite internet. The Thai government also cut power to the area in January 2025 in further attempts to dissuade the cybercrime centers.
KK Park is just one of many border compound scam centers. Reports say at least 30 others exist along the Thai border in plain sight.
Image Credit: Maisoong via Wikimedia Commons (license)
