In recent years, the telecommunications fraud activities in Southeast Asia have intensified, with countries such as Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and the Philippines becoming hotbeds for criminal groups. In particular, areas like Northern Myanmar, Myawaddy, and Kokang, under the protection of local armed forces, have formed multiple tele-fraud parks. Among them, Asia City was once a highly representative fraud stronghold, attracting a large number of people engaged in illegal activities.

However, with the high-pressure stance of the Chinese government, and the joint crackdown by Myanmar officials and local armed forces, the future of Asia City is becoming increasingly precarious!

Myanmar's Crackdown: Shrinking Living Space for Fraud Groups

Since the second half of 2023, the Chinese government has exerted increasing diplomatic pressure on Myanmar to completely eradicate telecommunications fraud crimes within its borders. The Myanmar military and local armed forces, driven by interests and external pressure, have launched large-scale raids on multiple fraud strongholds.

For example, in Myawaddy, the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) has recently carried out a months-long crackdown operation, successfully arresting over 7,000 fraud-related personnel and repatriating more than 2,000 Chinese suspects. However, due to the slow repatriation process, a large number of fraud-related personnel are still temporarily detained, forcing the BGF to bear the enormous cost of custody. It is estimated that the BGF spends up to 3 million Thai Baht (about 600,000 RMB) per month on the living costs of detained fraud-related personnel, which is a heavy financial burden for the local armed forces.

Meanwhile, in the Kokang region, the Chinese government has directly negotiated with the military commanders of the four major special zones, demanding their cooperation.

"We are not clear where they have gone. The commanders of the four special zones have been directly summoned by China and have already left, and there are no commanders left in the special zones. But as to why China summoned them, we are still not clear," a source from MNDAA revealed to the media.

It is worth noting that the fraud dens in regions like Kokang have not been completely eradicated, and some fraud groups are still trying to find new hideouts.BGF's Predicament: Financial Crisis and International Pressure BGF, as the main local armed force in Myawaddy, has always relied on the economic benefits from fraud groups.

In the past, these fraud gangs paid high "protection fees" to BGF in exchange for shelter and operational convenience. But now, as the fraud dens are being eradicated, BGF has lost this stable source of income and is instead facing heavy economic pressure due to detaining a large number of fraud-related personnel.

To make matters worse, the Thai government has recently put pressure on the BGF leadership, even issuing an arrest warrant for BGF leader Saw Chit Thu. This means that BGF not only faces pressure from the Chinese and Myanmar governments but also has to deal with the tough stance of the Thai government. Under multiple pressures, BGF can no longer provide shelter for fraud groups, and can only cooperate with the crackdown operations, even actively promoting the repatriation of fraud-related personnel.

The Transformation of Asia City: From Fraud Park to "Chicken Farm"?

Under a series of high-pressure policies, Asia City, once a major fraud stronghold, is also facing significant changes. According to multiple sources, some of the fraud parks in Asia City have been closed, and some areas have even been transformed into chicken farms, completely changing their original operating mode.

It is reported that BGF Secretary-General Mauk Chit Thu announced on November 15, 2024, that the franchise rights of Asia Group in the Shwe Kokko area have been officially canceled by the Myanmar Karen Border Guard Force (BGF). Currently, BGF spokesperson Major Saw Maw states that the area formerly owned by Asia Group has been converted into a chicken farm, aimed at providing employment opportunities and promoting local economic development.

This change not only means that the foundation of the fraud groups has been shaken, but also reflects the Myanmar government's attempt to change the economic structure of these regions in order to stabilize the situation.

However, although some fraud personnel have been repatriated, Asia City has not completely disappeared. Some fraud groups are still trying to find new "partners" or move to surrounding areas, attempting to continue the tele-fraud industry chain.

The Migration of Fraud Groups: From Myanmar to Cambodia, Philippines

Although Myanmar's crackdown has been effective, the fraud groups have not completely disappeared, but have adopted a "hit-and-run" strategy, moving to other Southeast Asian countries. Among them, Mondulkiri Province in Cambodia has become a new stronghold for fraud groups.

Since the end of 2023, the Chinese population in the province has surged, with fraud groups renting entire buildings, hotels, and resorts to create enclosed fraud bases. Netizens have even revealed that currently, about 20,000 foreign personnel have quietly arrived in Mondulkiri.

According to the Cambodian human rights organization ADHOC, these fraud parks are highly guarded, with strict control over the entry and exit of internal personnel, and even armed personnel are employed to guard, to prevent members from escaping or external interference.

In addition to Cambodia, similar fraud strongholds are also emerging in parts of countries like the Philippines and Laos. For example, DKBA is building a new fraud base about 15 kilometers away from the Phaya Tong Su fraud area in the Zeenapin area, with all kinds of living facilities available! And this area is also suspected to have a DKBA presence!

Various signs indicate that fraud groups are trying to establish new bases to evade crackdown operations.

How Long Can Asia City Survive?

From the current situation, Asia City, as a core stronghold for fraud groups, is already difficult to sustain:

1. Increased International Pressure: The joint actions of the Chinese, Thai, and Myanmar governments have caused the fraud groups to lose their shelter.

2. Economic Model Collapse: Local armed forces like BGF have lost the income source from the tele-fraud industry, and financial difficulties have forced them to eradicate fraud groups.

3. Migration of Fraud Groups: Fraud groups are looking for new strongholds, and Myanmar is no longer their "best choice."

4. Local Governance Transformation: Some areas of Asia City have been transformed for agricultural use, indicating that local armed forces may be trying to operate legally.

Although Asia City has not completely disappeared, its status as a tele-fraud center no longer exists. With the continued attention of the international community, the attitudes of the Myanmar government and local forces have gradually changed, making it difficult for Asia City to return to its former "glory"... Even with Saw Chit Thu's great capabilities, it is impossible to go against the trend.

In the future, fraud groups may continue to look for new footholds, but for Myanmar, completely eradicating the tele-fraud industry may just be a matter of time.