Who’s Really Behind Those Scam Calls? It’s Worse Than You Think

The next time a scam call comes in, remember: It’s not random. It’s organized. It’s evil. And it’s bigger than you think.

The Origins: From Casinos to Scammers

In the 1990s, Southeast Asia saw a rise in casinos and gambling, especially in Cambodia and Myanmar, with minimal regulations. These venues became hotspots for illegal activities. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, travel restrictions prevented millions of gamblers and tourists from visiting the casinos. Consequently, organized crime groups had to find alternative revenue sources. This led to a shift towards cyber scams, leveraging the existing infrastructure and personnel from the gambling industry.

The Rise of Scam Centers

These operations evolved into sophisticated scam centers, often located in regions with weak law enforcement and political instability. Notably, areas like Myanmar's Myawaddy region became hotspot. Here, scam centers operated with the protection of local armed groups, allowing them to function with impunity. These centers are equipped with modern technology and staffed by individuals trained to execute various online scams, from romance frauds to fake investment scheme.

The UN estimates that at least 120,000 people across Myanmar are held against their will and forced to carry out scams.

The Human Cost: Victims Turned Perpetrator

Many people working in scam centers are victims themselves. Lured by fake job offers, they’re trafficked into compounds—often in countries like Myanmar—where their passports are taken and they’re forced to run scams under threat of violence. This hidden layer of modern slavery fuels a growing cybercrime crisis across Southeast Asia, with tens of thousands trafficked from places like Thailand, Vietnam, the Philippines, and even Kenya.