Myanmar’s military government pledged a ‘zero tolerance’ campaign against large scam compounds, conducting raids and demolitions, yet AP reporting and satellite imagery show many operations persist or relocate. Investigations indicate the actions may be largely performative and that trafficking and coercion of workers remain widespread.

AP journalists combined ground reporting, interviews and satellite imagery to assess Myanmar’s announced crackdown on cyber scam compounds and found it has not eliminated the pervasive fraud industry. Although the junta publicly conducted raids, demolished facilities and promoted a narrative of enforcement, many scam operations reportedly reconstitute in new locations, adopt more clandestine setups or rely on alternative satellite internet services such as Starlink to maintain connectivity. Interviewed victims and local sources described continued recruitment, coercion and trafficking of workers compelled to operate fraud lines and social engineering schemes for organized groups. Observers and investigators said selective enforcement, fines and showpiece demolitions do little to dismantle broader networks that benefit from local complicity and cross-border logistics. The AP called attention to the humanitarian dimension: coerced workers face violence and restricted movement, while victims worldwide continue to lose funds. The reporting urged stronger international monitoring, sanctions targeting facilitators and coordinated efforts to disrupt the ecosystem enabling persistent cyber-enabled scams.