Myanmar Military Raids Infamous ‘Keke Park’ Scam Center, Over 2,000 Arrested

According to reports, Keke Park had become a major hub for international criminal syndicates. Illegal activities conducted there included gambling, money laundering, online romance scams, and investment fraud. During the raid, the military also seized 30 Starlink satellites, which had been used to maintain internet connectivity despite power outages.

Among those arrested, 1,645 were men, 445 women, and 98 male security guards. Their nationalities were not disclosed. Keke Park is located in Myawaddy Township, directly across from Mae Sot, Thailand.

Since the 2021 military coup, Myanmar has been engulfed in civil war, with recent clashes in border areas involving the military, the National Unity Government’s People’s Defense Forces, and various Karen ethnic armed groups.

Major-General Zaw Min Tun, spokesperson for the military, alleged that senior leaders of the Karen National Union were involved in the fraudulent operations at Keke Park.

Under pressure from Thailand and China, Myanmar is taking steps to shut down these scam centers. Many workers at these centers are victims of human trafficking, often lured by job offers before being forced into online scams. Thai authorities estimate that around 100,000 people are involved in scam operations just along the Thailand-Myanmar border.

Over the past five years, scam centers have spread widely across Southeast Asia, with Myanmar and Cambodia as primary hubs. International criminal groups reportedly earn billions of dollars annually from these operations.

Recently, the U.S. Treasury Department has sanctioned more than 20 institutions and individuals in Cambodia and Myanmar for involvement in these scam operations.