By Bywar Oo / MPA
Despite notices indicating that online scamming businesses (commonly known as “Zhàpiàn”) and online gambling businesses around the Myawaddy area in Karen State would cease in October, these businesses continue to hire hundreds of workers, according to individuals working in these operations.
A notice was issued by the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF) in May, mandating that all foreign workers employed by these businesses must leave by the end of October. However, sources working within the region have confirmed that these businesses remain active, and there is no visible sign of foreign workers preparing to depart.
“Looking at the situation, it is as if they are unaware of the notice. Worker hiring is ongoing, with hundreds of workers being called in. In the past, the announcements would only state the need for staff without specifying exact numbers. But now, they are hiring in large numbers, which makes one wonder if they are just ignoring the notice,” said a male worker employed at an online scam business in the southern part of Myawaddy, specifically in the Maethawtalay area.
These scam businesses are utilizing social media platforms such as Facebook, TikTok, and Telegram for hiring workers, with Telegram being the most frequently used platform for hiring workers.
Foreign workers employed in these online scam and gambling businesses primarily come from countries such as Russia, the United States, Indonesia, India, China, Singapore, and various African nations, according to some employees within the industry.
In recent days, many Myanmar nationals employed by these businesses have been preparing to return to their hometowns. However, a worker in one of Myawaddy’s online scam operations revealed that the State Administration Council (SAC) Army had reassured them not to worry, causing many to cancel their plans to return home.
“At first, many people were anxious and planned to return. The BGF notice was approaching its deadline. Then, one day, SAC Army showed up and spoke to the senior management, telling them not to be afraid and that nothing would happen. They said that we should continue working and that they would handle everything. As a result, those who were preparing to leave decided to stay. This job is not something that can be easily dismantled,” he said.
Earlier this year, authorities conducted raids on several small gambling establishments in Myawaddy. However, according to locals, no action was taken against the larger venues.
Furthermore, due to international pressure and demands, all ongoing development projects in the region are expected to be halted without exception. There have also been rumors circulating that, by 20 September, all business owners and employees, including those in Shwe Kokko and Yatai, were instructed by the BGF to vacate the area.
On 23 September, SAC Army, in cooperation with the police, conducted raids in Muse on those involved in online scam businesses, resulting in the arrest of nearly 500 individuals in a building known as the “Mingalar Muse Nine-Story Complex,” according to independent media reports.
Earlier this year, on 17 March 2024, under pressure from the Chinese government, SAC Army raided a Nine-Story building near Mingalar Muse complex, arresting thousands of workers involved in scam businesses. Among those arrested, 352 Chinese nationals were handed over to Chinese authorities at the Muse-Jiegao border crossing on 19 March.
