**Title: More than 5,300 People Still Held in Myanmar Scam Centres, Rights Group Reports**
**Date: June 23, 2026**
A recent report from the Thai-based Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victim Assistance (CSNHTV) has revealed that over 5,300 individuals remain trapped in online scam centres in Myanmar, particularly in areas near the Thai border. This alarming situation persists despite a crackdown on such operations that took place in February 2025 in Myawaddy, Myanmar.
The CSNHTV has reached out to Thai police, urging them to take action against these scam centres, which are reportedly controlled by the Myanmar Democratic Karen Buddhist Army militia. The organisation has highlighted that many of the victims are foreign nationals, with an estimated 1,600 being Chinese citizens. Additionally, around 200 individuals are from Myanmar, while others hail from countries including the Philippines, Taiwan, Malaysia, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
The report underscores that many of the compounds where these individuals are held have not been dismantled or subjected to rescue operations. As a result, the criminal syndicates operating these scam centres continue to engage in online fraud and human trafficking, inflicting harm on victims globally, particularly in the United States and Europe.
Scam centres in Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar and Cambodia, have been linked to illegal online schemes designed to defraud individuals worldwide. The growth of these centres has been significant since the COVID-19 pandemic, initially associated with poorly managed casinos and online gambling operations. Today, they represent a multibillion-dollar industry, as reported by the United Nations.
A UN report published in February highlighted that the facilities are predominantly staffed by foreign nationals who have been trafficked by criminal gangs. The report detailed severe human rights abuses occurring within these centres, including torture, sexual abuse, forced abortions, food deprivation, and solitary confinement. UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk described the situation as a "litany of abuse" that is both staggering and heartbreaking.
Victims of these operations often do not receive the protection, care, and rehabilitation they deserve. Instead, they frequently encounter disbelief, stigma, and further punishment, which exacerbates their plight.
The ongoing crisis in Myanmar's scam centres raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of international and local efforts to combat human trafficking and protect vulnerable populations. As the situation develops, the CSNHTV and other human rights organizations continue to call for immediate action to rescue those still trapped and to dismantle the networks that facilitate such abuses.