The Economic Zone Management Committee of Bokeo Province has directed online gaming operators within the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone to consolidate their operations at a single location.
This move aims to streamline inspections and enhance network security supervision, ensuring that the operations are conducted under the jurisdiction and oversight of the Lao government.
The decision affects 16 parent companies and their 95 subsidiaries, all of which are authorized to conduct online-related businesses.
These companies must consolidate their operations within the same block or building to facilitate better management and supervision by the authorities. They are required to complete the relocation within 15 days from the date of notification.
The notice also warns that both domestic and foreign individuals or entities are prohibited from engaging in telecommunications fraud. It urges Chinese investors who were previously involved in telecom fraud to switch to legal investments compliant with Lao laws. Companies failing to meet the document requirements will be forced to shut down their operations.
In August, the security forces of the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone, in collaboration with other agencies, dismantled a cyber fraud gang, arresting 770 suspects from 15 Asian and African countries.
In the same month, the Indian Embassy rescued 14 Indian youths from a cyber fraud center within the economic zone. To date, the embassy has rescued a total of 548 Indian nationals and warns that companies in the Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone often lure Indian nationals with false job advertisements, including positions like "e-commerce sales" and "customer service," offered by agents in cities such as Dubai, Bangkok, and Singapore.
