A significant number of Indians, estimated to be in the hundreds, were part of a larger group of over 1,000 people who recently fled Myanmar and crossed into Thailand. This mass exodus occurred shortly after the Myanmar military raided one of Southeast Asia’s largest cybercrime compounds, known as KK Park.
According to reports from Thai media outlet Khaosod, 399 Indian nationals constituted the largest single group among those who crossed the border. However, this figure has not been independently verified.
The exodus was prompted by a raid on KK Park, a sprawling complex situated in Myanmar’s Karen State, just across the border from Thailand. These compounds are notorious for housing thousands of individuals engaged in elaborate online scams, such as “pig butchering” schemes, where victims are manipulated into investing in fraudulent cryptocurrency platforms. While some participants may be willing, many are victims of human trafficking, lured by false job promises and subsequently held captive under duress, forced to commit fraud or face severe abuse.
The operations within these border regions have thrived amid Myanmar’s ongoing civil conflict, often with the protection of militias allied with the ruling military, who benefit financially from these illicit activities.
Beyond the Indian nationals, the fleeing group reportedly included 147 Chinese nationals, as well as individuals from Vietnam, the Philippines, Ethiopia, Pakistan, Indonesia, Nepal, and 31 Thai nationals.
This incident is not the first time large numbers of Indians have been found trapped in Myanmar’s scam compounds. In March, Indian authorities repatriated 549 citizens who had been lured by false IT job offers and subsequently trafficked to these centers, largely operated by Chinese criminal gangs.
Eyewitness accounts from KK Park described scenes of chaos during the escape, with people fleeing amid shouting and the presence of armed individuals.
Thai authorities are screening those who have crossed to identify victims of human trafficking, while also prosecuting individuals for illegal border crossing. Checkpoints have been established, and humanitarian aid is being provided.
The raid and subsequent exodus highlight the persistent international pressure on Myanmar’s military to dismantle these scam operations, which have increasingly utilized satellite internet technology. In response to such activities, companies like SpaceX have taken measures to disable devices used in these centers.
However, experts suggest that Myanmar’s military has historically overlooked these scam centers due to the profits they generate for their militia allies, who are crucial for their efforts against rebel groups.