Authorities in Laos and China have detained 771 people in their crackdown on illegal activities in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone (GTSEZ) in northwestern Laos, near the borders with Myanmar and Thailand. The detainees include 275 Laotians, 231 Burmese, 108 Chinese, and individuals from the Philippines, India, Indonesia, Ethiopia, and Vietnam.
The "Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone" (GTSEZ) typically refers to a region in Southeast Asia at the intersection of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, sometimes known as the "Golden Triangle" area. This region was once notorious for drug trafficking but has recently also been scrutinized for illegal activities, including online and network gambling.
The Golden Triangle Economic Zone is one of several Chinese-dominated enclaves in Southeast Asia that operate almost independently of government intervention, providing a haven for various criminal activities. The infrastructure in this area is designed to support such operations, but it has also facilitated rampant online scams, particularly in Myanmar, Cambodia, and the Philippines. A recent Bloomberg investigation highlighted the rapid growth of online scams within the Golden Triangle Economic Zone, with trafficked workers forced to lure victims into fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes.
Shutdown Deadline
This joint operation began earlier this month as part of a broader effort to eliminate the persistent online scam activities plaguing the region. The GTSEZ is infamous for its association with various illegal activities and must shut down unauthorized call centers by today, August 25.
The GTSEZ is notorious for online scams, human trafficking, and other criminal activities. The zone is controlled by Zhao Wei, a Chinese businessman sanctioned by the US government in 2018 for involvement in drug trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, and wildlife trafficking. Despite these sanctions, the area continues to thrive as a hub for online scams, often involving trafficked labor.
Deceptive Facade of Human Trafficking
While recent raids and government ultimatums indicate a strengthened resolve to address these issues, the entrenched nature of criminal activities in the Golden Triangle Economic Zone raises doubts about the lasting impact of these crackdowns. As noted by the International Crisis Group, the business model and governance structure of the Golden Triangle Economic Zone create an environment where illegal activities can flourish unchecked. The autonomy of the zone and Zhao Wei's control pose enduring challenges for the Lao authorities in implementing meaningful changes.
Many of the detainees were workers deceived into coming to the zone and then forced into scam activities. An official from the Lao Ministry of Public Security stated, "This is human trafficking, as they were deceived into working in shops or restaurants in the zone but were later forced into scam activities." Chinese citizens were handed over to the authorities, while other foreign nationals were sent to their respective embassies.
The Lao government has ordered all scam activities to cease by the end of today, indicating a tougher stance on criminal activities within the Golden Triangle Economic Zone. Local media reports that a special task force will lead this crackdown, with the authority to arrest operators who defy the closure order. This is the latest in a series of raids aimed at curbing illegal activities in the area. In recent weeks, nine raids have resulted in the arrest and deportation of 1,389 people, including 1,211 Chinese citizens.
