Thousands of modern slavery victims were recently freed from scam compounds on the Thai-Myanmar border, thanks to increased efforts by the Thai government. Authorities are also trying to shut down the compounds by cutting off their internet access, essential for scam operations. But according to the BBC, these efforts are stalling due to overcrowded, unsanitary survivor camps. Meanwhile, a Wired Magazine investigation revealed easy access to Starlink keeps scams running despite shutdowns.

Out of the frying pan and into the fryer 

People from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa are lured to the Thai-Myanmar border with promises of good jobs. Instead, they find themselves trapped in locked compounds, forced to run scams. In recent months, law enforcement freed over 7,000 victims in a crackdown. But many now languish in makeshift camps for weeks or months.

Judah Tana, who runs an NGO helping victims of trafficking in the scam centers, described the camps: 

 “We are hearing distressing information about the lack of sanitation and toilets. Many…were screened for TB and tested positive…(and some) are coughing up blood.”   

Conditions in the camps are reported as unsanitary. The food is barely sufficient, and, due to conditions at both the compounds and now the camp, many are in poor mental and physical health. In most cases, the traffickers take away all passports. Thus, with no travel documents and no money, survivors are left at the mercy of the Thai government. Camps are now so overcrowded that militia groups have stopped rescuing victims—there’s no room left.

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