A recent report by research outfit ISP Myanmar shows that scam syndicates driven out of Kokang and the Wa Self-Administered Division during Operation 1027 haven't actually gone away. Instead, they've scattered across at least 17 townships in southern and eastern Shan State to keep the business going.
The report notes that places like Tangyan, Mong Hsat, Tachileik, and the military-controlled border hub of Muse have become the new hotspots for scam compounds. By their count, at least 25 online scam operations are still up and running. Even though the stated goal of Operation 1027 was to completely root out scam centres, gambling dens, and drug networks, the gangs have simply relocated and set up shop elsewhere.
Local tuk-tuk drivers and regulars at the teahouses are already talking about it. While the compounds have changed addresses, the murky deals and the way things work haven't changed at all. For people just trying to make a living here, everyone sees the ongoing mess and knows that real peace and quiet is still a long way off.
