Bangkok: More than 5,000 people are still believed to be trapped inside online scam compounds along the Myanmar Thailand border, despite a major regional crackdown that has led to the rescue of thousands of trafficking victims over the past year.
The warning was issued by the Civil Society Network for Human Trafficking Victim Assistance, a Thailand based rights group, which said that around 5,300 people remain confined in several scam centers operating in areas controlled by armed groups near the border. The organization has called on Thai authorities and neighboring countries to intensify rescue operations and dismantle the remaining criminal networks.
According to the rights group, many of those trapped were lured from their home countries with promises of well paid jobs. Instead, they found themselves transported to heavily guarded compounds where they were forced to take part in online fraud schemes targeting victims around the world. Those who refused to cooperate reportedly faced threats, violence, or restrictions on their movement.
The group estimates that victims come from a wide range of countries across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Around 1,600 Chinese nationals are believed to be among those still trapped. Others are reported to come from countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, the Philippines, Brazil, Russia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe.
The scam compounds are located in Myanmar's border regions, particularly near Myawaddy, an area that has become one of Southeast Asia's most notorious centers for cyber fraud operations. Several compounds have been linked to organized criminal syndicates involved in investment scams, romance scams, cryptocurrency fraud, and other online schemes that generate billions of dollars each year.
Although authorities from Thailand, Myanmar, China, and other regional partners have launched a series of coordinated operations since early 2025, rights groups say the problem remains far from solved. Thousands of people have been rescued during raids and border security operations, but many compounds continue to function.
Recent reports from regional authorities suggest the scale of the problem may be even larger than previously believed. Thai police officials involved in anti scam operations have estimated that tens of thousands of people may still be working inside scam centers along the border. Criminal groups have shown an ability to move operations quickly, relocate workers, and continue their activities despite enforcement efforts.
The United Nations has previously warned that cyber scam networks across Southeast Asia have become a major source of human trafficking and transnational crime. International agencies believe hundreds of thousands of people may have been trafficked into scam operations across Myanmar, Cambodia, Laos, and other countries in the region over the past several years.
Human rights organizations say many rescued victims face additional challenges even after gaining their freedom. Large numbers of survivors have spent months in temporary shelters while governments verify identities and arrange travel documents for their return home. In some cases, overcrowded facilities and lengthy administrative procedures have delayed repatriation efforts.
Security analysts say Myanmar's ongoing conflict has contributed to the persistence of these operations. Armed groups control parts of the border region, creating conditions that allow criminal organizations to operate with limited oversight. The instability has made it difficult for authorities to permanently shut down scam compounds and arrest those responsible.
The latest warning from anti trafficking campaigners highlights the continuing humanitarian crisis along the Myanmar Thailand border. While thousands have already been rescued, rights groups say urgent action is still needed to free those who remain trapped and to dismantle the criminal networks responsible for one of the world's largest cyber fraud industries.
Officials and aid organizations are now urging stronger regional cooperation, faster victim repatriation, and tougher action against the syndicates that continue to profit from human trafficking and online scams. As rescue efforts continue, thousands of families across multiple countries remain waiting for news of loved ones believed to be trapped inside the compounds.