Myanmar Scam Parks Reborn: 77 Demolished Buildings Rebuilt Within Two Months, Armed Protection and High-Salary Lures Persist

On July 26, 2026, the final 17-story building used for telecom fraud in Myawaddy, Myanmar's Water Valley area was demolished through directional blasting, completing the clearance of 77 illegal buildings. However, just two months later, new construction and recruitment posts have appeared in this area, and the seemingly successful results of the China-Myanmar joint crackdown are facing severe tests. In early 2025, Chinese actor Wang Xing's case of being lured to a Myawaddy park while at the Thailand-Myanmar border triggered widespread concern in Chinese society and among law enforcement agencies. Subsequently, China, Myanmar, and Thailand established a ministerial-level cooperation mechanism, conducting 10 joint repatriation operations. According to the Ministry of Public Security's December 2025 report, over 7,600 Chinese nationals involved in fraud were repatriated from Myawaddy that year. The Wenzhou Intermediate Court executed 11 individuals including Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen on January 29, 2026. The Shenzhen Intermediate Court sentenced five people including Bai Suocheng and Bai Yingcang to death in November 2025, with Bai Yingcang executed on February 2, 2026. The Ming family case involved over 100 billion yuan in fraud and gambling funds, causing 14 Chinese citizens' deaths. The Bai family case involved over 106 billion yuan in fraud and over 182 billion yuan in gambling, totaling nearly 290 billion yuan. Starting from May 25, 2026, the joint working group demolished 77 fraud-related buildings in Water Valley, with 57 removed using mechanical engineering and 20 through blasting. The final 17-story building was demolished on July 26. However, according to September 2026 media reports, some old parks in Myawaddy have revived. Recruitment posts for Water Valley's back mountain have appeared on social media, with new buildings and recruitment advertisements emerging in areas including the Second and Fourth Districts, Water Valley mountainous region, Tipakji Village, Asia-Pacific City, and Yongjingtai. Notably, only two months passed between the final demolition in Water Valley on July 26 and September. According to rescued victims, the Myawaddy scam parks still have protective forces behind them. These parks are not simply a few offices but a business chain connecting armed groups, investors, recruiters, and money laundering. Local people in Kokang refer to Chinese nationals as "piglets" or "walking RMB," with investors paying 20-30% commissions to local forces. In October 2023, the Ming family forcibly transferred personnel from Tiger Hill Manor, creating the "10-20" case that caused four Chinese fraud-related personnel deaths and four injuries. On August 5, 2023, more than 20 people escaped from Jinxin Park, with Myanmar armed forces using AK47s to fire approximately 10 seconds, causing six deaths and eight injuries. In October 2026, three Chinese men traveled to Thailand, with two going missing after going out. Their location showed as Tak Province. Family members said the two were suspected of being transferred to Myawaddy, Myanmar. Hu, 38, said on a WeChat call "I'm doing well inside," but Song's younger brother did not speak. Song, who had a junior high school education and worked as a truck driver, has family members worried about his situation. The U.S. Department of Justice also disclosed a case in October 2026: a 27-year-old Chinese international student, Jin, entered the U.S. on a student visa, overstayed for three years after his visa expired in 2022, and joined an "emotional pig-butchering" scam group. The group deceived a victim through online romance and induced investment with "high returns," defrauding approximately $2.5 million (about 17.33 million yuan) over more than a year. Jin was sentenced to 27 months in prison. Chinese citizens kidnapped or illegally detained abroad should first contact Chinese embassies and consulates for assistance. On February 6, 2025, 61 victims from Myawaddy scam parks were successfully rescued, including 39 Chinese nationals. Myanmar authorities transferred the rescued personnel to Thai authorities, demonstrating the positive role of cross-border law enforcement cooperation in combating cross-border telecom fraud. Police remind the public to remain highly cautious about any form of overseas high-salary recruitment. Regular recruitment will not require employees to work as so-called "customer service" or "typists" in northern or eastern Myanmar border areas. Do not trust "high-salary overseas" opportunities to avoid becoming the next "walking RMB." If similar recruitment information is discovered, report it to public security authorities immediately.