Name: SpaceX disables Starlink devices used by Myanmar scam centres
Uploaded: 2025-10-23T20:01:11.457Z
Duration: 2 min 31 s
Description: SpaceX has disabled more than 2,500 Starlink devices linked to online scam centers in Myanmar’s KK Park, on the Thai border. Rights groups say Starlink technology has enabled Chinese crime syndicates to exploit Myanmar’s instability.

SpaceX has disabled more than 2,500 Starlink devices linked to online scam centers in Myanmar’s KK Park, on the Thai border. Rights groups say Starlink technology has enabled Chinese crime syndicates to exploit Myanmar’s instability.

SpaceX has announced the disabling of more than 2,500 Starlink satellite devices that were being used at scam centres in Myanmar, particularly in a complex known as KK Park near the Thai border. Rights groups have raised concerns that Starlink technology was facilitating operations by Chinese crime syndicates, taking advantage of the region's instability due to ongoing civil conflict.

The problem of scam centres is widespread in Southeast Asia, with Cambodia also reporting significant activity and recent deportations related to such operations. The United Nations estimates that these scam centres, which proliferated during the COVID-19 pandemic, generate billions of dollars annually and often exploit vulnerable young people with false promises of employment, subjecting them to violence and coercion.

SpaceX disables Starlink devices used by Myanmar scam centres

These buildings are reportedly part of a complex known as KK Park, a vast online and telephone scam centre in Myanmar on the border with Thailand. The white square shapes on the roofs are believed to be Starlink satellite communication equipment. Rights groups have long complained that SpaceX's Starlink technology has enabled Chinese crime syndicates to take advantage of the unstable security situation resulting from Myanmar's civil war. SpaceX on Wednesday said it has disabled more than 2,500 Starlink devices being used at scam centres in Myanmar. But the problem is in no way confined to Myanmar. Cambodia deported 64 South Koreans last week accused of being involved with scam centres. It is not known whether they were forced or worked voluntarily at the illegal businesses. South Korea has sent a delegation to its embassy in Cambodia to assess the situation. The delegation was joined by representatives from Vietnam, Thailand and Laos. South Korea's national security adviser says more than 1,000 South Koreans are believed to be among the 200,000 people of various nationalities involved in scam centres in Cambodia. New forms of crime are becoming more sophisticated and what's most urgent is the fact that desperate young people have a lack of economic opportunities. The urn containing the ashes of a South Korean student reportedly involved in scam centre work and who was murdered in Cambodia arrived in South Korea this week. Seoul has issued a travel ban to some areas of Cambodia. Regarding the travel advisory system, a travel ban is in effect for the major scam camp areas. Phnom Penh is under special travel alert and South Korean nationals are advised to leave Sihanoukville. The UN says many scam centres appeared in Southeast Asia during the COVID-19 pandemic. It says they target victims around the world with phone and online scams and estimates the illegal business generates billions of dollars a year Experts say lack of work opportunities is fueling the criminal businesses, luring young people with the promise of a well-paid job. But workers are often subjected to threats of violence if they underperform or try to leave. Charles Stratford, Al Jazeera.

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