More than 800 youths, including young people from the Mon region, have been defrauded of nearly 9 billion kyats by fake overseas employment agencies. They attempted to leave the country by any means, fearing that overseas travel would be completely banned after the election. This information comes from officials at the Myanmar Overseas Employment Agencies Association (MOEAA).
The Yangon-based Su Latt Myint Mo agency and its affiliated sub-agencies have allegedly scammed hundreds of youths planning to travel to Japan, collecting billions of kyats in fees. MOEAA stated during a Facebook Live broadcast on December 11 that more than 100 victims have already filed complaints at its office.
The agencies reportedly transported youths to Thailand via Tachileik, claiming they would then arrange direct travel to Japan. After collecting agency fees, however, they cut off contact and fled. As a result, youths from Mon State—including from Paung, Ye, and Thanbyuzayat—as well as from central Myanmar, have been stranded in Thailand.
A Mon youth who was among the victims said the fraud occurred because direct travel to Japan had been delayed due to Myanmar’s political situation, while fears grew that the military commission would completely shut down overseas travel after the election. This led many youths to turn to agencies claiming they could arrange quick departures.
“After passing the interview, I entered a two-month camp. During that time, the agents told us that because of possible election-related turmoil in December, all overseas travel routes would be blocked, so we should go to Thailand and wait for the COE there. They said it would be faster. I wanted to leave as soon as possible, so I trusted them. Since thousands had registered with the agency, I never thought it was a scam,” she said.
Each victim reportedly paid more than 10 million kyats to the agency. While stranded in Thailand for months, some youths have been forced to work in Thai factories, while others are facing difficulties related to finances and legal residency, she added.
According to an MOEAA official, brokers linked to the agency are pressuring youths in Thailand to register for work permits and remain working there, while the agency has refused to return confiscated passports and ID cards despite mediation efforts.
“Youths who have arrived in Bangkok are being forced to complete ID registration and told to work in Thailand. Some are hiding. They have not been able to recover the 12 million kyats they paid, nor the 6,500 baht biometric fee. Many want to speak out but are afraid of retaliation,” an MOEAA official said.
Su Latt Myint Mo Agency, which carried out the fraud, is among the agencies that the military commission officially declared illegal and permanently shut down in May 2025.
An MOEAA official also said that a female member of the agency was arrested and detained at Insein Prison days before the complaint was filed, and reports have been submitted to relevant police stations in Yangon to arrest the remaining responsible individuals.
Taking advantage of the military commission’s restrictions on overseas employment and the country’s ongoing internal conflict, fraudulent agencies targeting youths have been increasing on a daily basis.
Overseas employment service providers are therefore urging youths who wish to work or study abroad to exercise extreme caution when contacting and engaging with agencies.
