Tremors from 7.7-Magnitude Earthquake Felt Across Multiple Regions

Myanmar's military government announced on Monday that over 1,000 foreign nationals have been rescued from cyber scam centers near the Thai border. The rescues occurred over the past three weeks, with around 1,030 victims, primarily from Asian countries including India and China, being saved, according to the country's ruling State Administration Council. As part of an ongoing crackdown on human trafficking and illegal labor, authorities have already returned 61 individuals to their home countries, with further returns pending verification of personal details. The United Nations reports that hundreds of thousands of people are trafficked for forced labor at these centers, which generate billions of dollars annually for criminal gangs operating throughout Southeast Asia. The effort to curb these operations intensified following the abduction of Chinese actor Wang Xing in January, who was lured to Thailand with promises of acting roles but ended up in a scam center in Myanmar. In response, Thailand has cut essential services to several border areas to disrupt these criminal activities.

In Myanmar's Karen State, the city of Shwe Kokko, also known as Golden Raintree, has emerged from the backdrop of civil war to become a controversial hub accused of fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking. Built by entrepreneur She Zhijiang, who is currently jailed in Bangkok awaiting extradition to China, Shwe Kokko presents itself as a luxury resort but faces claims of operating a scam economy. According to BBC's Jonathan Head, despite promotional videos showcasing the city's high-rises intended for wealthy tourists, locals assert that scams remain prevalent. Reports indicate that workers from various regions are coerced into fraudulent operations, further exacerbating the area’s tarnished reputation. The ongoing civil unrest complicates investment prospects, while Thailand has intensified measures to combat cross-border crimes, jeopardizing Shwe Kokko's potential as a tourist attraction. Yatai, the company behind the town's development, maintains that it is striving to dissociate from illegal activities. Nonetheless, experts like Jason Tower from the United States Institute for Peace remain skeptical, indicating that without substantial legal structure or oversight, Shwe Kokko is likely to continue its dubious operations.

Shwe Kokko, a burgeoning city in Myanmar's Karen State, has drawn international attention for its alleged ties to scams, fraud, and human trafficking. Erected from the ground up in just eight years, this seemingly glittering locale has emerged near the Moei River—once a site peppered with trees and conflict. According to the BBC, the city was developed by Yatai, a company led by She Zhijiang, who is currently imprisoned in Thailand pending extradition to China on fraud charges. Described as a haven for the wealthy and a resort for Chinese tourists, Shwe Kokko's marketing contradicts reports of widespread criminal activity linked to scam operations. While Yatai denies involvement in illegal matters, local sources reveal that these scams persist within the city's high-rises. The situation is exacerbated by ongoing civil strife in Myanmar, which hinders foreign investment and tourism, compelling local and international authorities to reassess their strategies against the rampant exploitation. The city's precarious position highlights the broader implications of lawlessness in the area as authorities in China and Thailand ramp up efforts to dismantle illegitimate operations affecting their citizens.