Full Breakdown
Over 5,300 Victims Remain Trapped in Myanmar-Thailand Border Scam Centres, Human Rights Group Warns
6/23/2026, 11:26:20 PM
Ongoing Entrapment in Border Scam Compounds
More than 5,300 individuals are currently confined in online-fraud facilities located near the Myanmar-Thailand border. The Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victim Assistance (CSNHTV) says the victims are held at four sites inside territory controlled by the Democratic Karen Buddhist Army (DKBA) militia.
Background: Prior Multinational Crackdown and Regional Effort
Over a year ago, a multinational crackdown freed thousands of people from similar scam centres in the region. Thailand subsequently led a regional effort that extracted roughly 5,000 detainees from the Myawaddy area of Myanmar. Despite those actions, CSNHTV reports that large-scale illegal operations persist.
Key Actors
Key actors include CSNHTV, a Thailand-based human-rights group; the DKBA militia controlling the compounds; Thai police, urged to act; and Myanmar’s military-backed government, which has announced a crackdown but offered no comment.
Victim Demographics and Scale
CSNHTV estimates the trapped population includes approximately 1,600 Chinese nationals, 200 Burmese, 20 Thai citizens, and individuals from the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Zimbabwe. The total exceeds 5,300 persons.
Official Statements & Responses
In a June 22 letter, CSNHTV urged Thai police to act against the remaining compounds. Myanmar’s military-backed government has previously declared a crackdown on scam hubs, yet a spokesperson declined to comment on the current situation. DKBA officials did not respond to requests for comment.
Criticism & Opposition
CSNHTV criticizes the continued operation of the compounds, noting that the lack of dismantling allows syndicates to persist in online fraud and human trafficking that affect victims worldwide, particularly in the United States and Europe.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Thai authorities reported pulling out roughly 5,000 people from scam hubs in Myanmar’s Myawaddy area last year, while CSNHTV now cites more than 5,300 still detained, suggesting a possible overlap or under-reporting. No official figures have been released by the DKBA or Myanmar’s government, leaving the exact status of the sites unclear.
Verbatim Quotes
- “BANGKOK, June 23 (Reuters) - More than 5,300 people are still trapped in online scam centres near Myanmar's Thai border, a human rights group said, over one year after thousands were freed during amultinational crackdownin the region.” — Reuters
- “The group estimates that the people trapped include around 1,600 Chinese nationals, some 200 Burmese, 20 Thais as well as citizens from the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.” — CSNHTV
- “Many of these compounds have yet to be dismantled or subjected to rescue operations to free all remaining victims,” — CSNHTV
- “As a result, these syndicates continue to engage in online fraud and human trafficking, causing harm to victims around the world, particularly in the United States and Europe.” — CSNHTV
What’s Next
Thai police have not yet issued a public response to the CSNHTV letter, and no rescue operations have been announced for the remaining compounds. The situation therefore remains unresolved pending further law-enforcement action.
