More than two dozen suspected new scam compounds have appeared in war-torn Myanmar, according to satellite images. These sites, often run by Chinese organised crime groups, are turning scamming into an industrial-scale operation, raising concerns about human trafficking and global cybercrime.

The International Justice Mission has found that at least 25 alleged scamming sites have emerged in the Myawaddy region since January. Flat land has been transformed into buildings and infrastructure, mirroring the scale of previous operations that were disrupted last year but appear to have bounced back with new vigour.

These scam compounds are part of a larger global crisis, involving billions stolen from victims worldwide through complex schemes like cryptocurrency and romance scams. People from over 60 countries are lured into these regions with false promises of work, only to be forced to engage in daily scamming operations, often under threat of violence.

International sanctions have been issued against those linked to the Myanmar and Cambodian operations, and last year’s raids by Myanmar's military junta aimed to disrupt these scams. However, satellite imagery shows that construction has continued unabated, with new compounds springing up and old ones repopulated. The pace of construction is staggering, suggesting a well-organised effort to evade oversight.

The use of advanced technology like Starlink satellites for communications further complicates efforts to curb the scamming operations. While some devices have been seized, their continued use suggests that the tech giants may be reluctant or unable to enforce rules against these entities.