Trapped in a digital hellscape


A notorious scam hub on the Myanmar side of the border, as seen from Tak, Thailand. A multinational effort helped free thousands forced to work in these fraud centres, yet they continue to proliferate unabated. — Lauren DeCicca/The New York Times

THERE are usually no international flights from the airport in Mae Sot, a Thai town on the border with Myanmar.

But recently, hundreds of people boarded direct flights to China after being rescued from a 21st-century scourge – online scam mills that have defrauded victims worldwide of tens of billions of US dollars.

The Star Festive Promo: Get 35% OFF Digital Access

Monthly Plan

RM 13.90/month

Best Value

Annual Plan

RM 12.33/month

RM 8.02/month

Billed as RM 96.20 for the 1st year, RM 148 thereafter.

Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel for breaking news alerts and key updates!

Next In Focus

The man behind the club
Maimed by someone else’s war
A giant beneath the steppe
Fighting for every breath
Search for elusive snow
America’s academic crown slips
Baby bust, Beijing style
Starving in plain sight
Searching for the butterfly’s compass
Why Russia’s defences fizzled

Others Also Read