New online scam compounds and buildings are reportedly being expanded in Metta Lin Myaing, within the territory of Strategy 555 commanded by Major Saw Mote Thon of Battalion Area 4 under the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF), located in Myawaddy Township, Karen State along the Thai-Myanmar border, according to local residents.
The expansion is said to be taking place near the former KK Park area, which had previously been demolished through joint actions involving China, Thailand, and the Myanmar military. Sources say preparations are underway to re-establish operations in the vicinity.
According to a construction worker, scam-related compounds and new buildings are emerging near Metta Lin Myaing village, west of KK Park.
“The site we worked on is on the western side of the village, between Letkhat Taung and the village. Construction is ongoing. We understand it to be a scam center. Sometimes Chinese bosses come to inspect it. There’s a security checkpoint nearby, and outsiders are not allowed in. It’s far from the village and was already an area with little foot traffic,” the worker said.
It is not yet known how the BGF plans to use the newly constructed buildings. Locals say a figure known as Bo Shein is primarily active in the 555 Strategy area.
Additionally, a new scam compound known as “KK Park 2.0” has reportedly gained attention near Metta Lin Myaing.
A soldier from the Karen National Liberation Army (KNLA) said: “That place is located deep in the forest. It also belongs to Major Mote Thon. Most of the buildings are already completed, and they are multi-story structures. Although the compound is not as large as the previous one, it is still fairly big. We still cannot get close to it.”
The Independent Mon News Agency attempted to contact BGF officials for comment regarding the scam operations in Metta Lin Myaing but received no response.
Meanwhile, a Malaysian activist revealed photos showing a newly discovered online scam compound about five kilometers from the demolished KK Park site. The compound is reportedly enclosed by multiple layers of barbed-wire fencing.
Malaysian-based media outlets reported that the new scam center is believed to be operated by fugitives from Malaysia. At least 150 Malaysian nationals are said to have been deceived and trafficked to the site to work in the scam operations.
Although the Myanmar military carried out highly publicized demolitions of the original KK Park compound under pressure from China and Thailand, newly emerging scam hubs have reportedly been ignored.
Scam syndicates operating in BGF-controlled territories under the military’s authority continue recruiting new workers, with job advertisements appearing daily.
