According to an April report by UNODC, scam compounds are scattered across Southeast Asia’s border regions.
Some Myanmar-based criminal groups have relocated to Laos and Cambodia in response to intensified crackdowns.

Two individuals under U.S. and U.K. sanctions were listed as executives at companies suspected of investing in scam compounds around Myawaddy, Myanmar.
Documents provided by @justiceformyanmar.org

Nikkei analyzed satellite images and social media footage to map the layout of scam compounds raided this year.
The sites are surrounded by fences and walls, with numerous watchtower-like structures.
Myanmar witness,@cen4infores.bsky.social, assisted in verifying the placement of structures.

“Inside, that one is like a prison.”
A man from South Asia who says he was held for six months at KK Park -- one of the largest scam centers in Myanmar -- recounts his experience. He was forced to engage in romance scams.
Introduced via IJM, he spoke on condition of anonymity.

New: Nikkei Visual Investigation
Scam centers in eastern Myanmar are expanding.
At least 16 suspected sites have been identified along the Thai border. Construction continued at 8 of them even after large crackdown in February.
Analysis based on the satellite images from Planet Labs.