Myanmar scam centres set daily US$50k goal: Malaysian humanitarian organisation

To achieve these kinds of numbers, you will need to scam dozens of people daily, an official said.

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Alleged scam centre workers and victims sit on the ground during a crackdown operation by the Karen Border Guard Force on illicit activity at the KK Park complex in Myanmar's eastern Myawaddy township on February 26, 2025. PHOTO: AFP

September 22, 2025

JOHOR BARU – Scam centres in Myanmar are pushing their “employees” to the brink by forcing them to achieve daily targets of up to US$50,000 (RM210,000) or face severe punishments, says the Malaysia International Humanitarian Organisation (MHO).

MHO chief public relations officer Daniel Khoo said previously the target was about US$5,000.

“To achieve these kinds of numbers, you will need to scam dozens of people daily.

“I have Malaysians calling me regularly saying that they are being punished or zapped with tasers or beaten up for not achieving their targets.

“These abuses seem to be done to put fear into the victims not to escape or try contacting their families or friends for help,” he said, adding that presently they had about 30 cases involving Malaysians working in scam centres in Myanmar alone.

At least three of the victims were women. All of them are in their 20s to 40s.

One of them has been in Myanmar for about two years.

These Malaysians were waiting to be repatriated, he said.

Malaysians with relatives trapped in scam centres can contact MHO via its hotline at 014-994 6697 or e-mail info@mhomalaysia.org.

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