Starlink Fuels Myanmar Scam Compounds

Starlink’s Unintended Role in Fueling Myanmar’s Scam Compounds

In June 2024, a desperate message reached the inbox of the Global Anti-Scam Organization (GASO). “I am in Myanmar and work for a fraud company,” wrote a Chinese national trapped inside the Tai Chang compound, a notorious hub for human trafficking and online scams near the Myanmar-Thailand border. Rather than pleading for immediate rescue, the individual highlighted a chilling detail: despite Thai authorities severing the compound’s terrestrial internet links, operations had continued uninterrupted. The reason? Dozens of Starlink satellite dishes, owned by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, now dotted the rooftops.

This revelation, corroborated by mobile phone data and witness accounts, exposes a grim reality. Criminal networks generating billions annually from forced labour and fraud have adopted Starlink as a lifeline. According to WIRED’s analysis of ad-tech location records, over 40,000 connections to Starlink networks were logged across eight Myanmar-based scam compounds between November 2024 and February 2025. At Tai Chang alone, survivors describe white satellite dishes clustered on buildings like “mushrooms after rain,” enabling round-the-clock scamming.

The Mechanics of Modern Slavery in Southeast Asia

To grasp Starlink’s unintended complicity, one must first understand the scale of Southeast Asia’s scam industry. The United Nations estimates that 120,000 people languish in Myanmar’s compounds, with another 100,000 trapped in Cambodia. Many are lured by fake job ads promising roles in hospitality or tech, only to find themselves confined behind barbed wire, forced to swindle strangers online.

These operations hinge on relentless internet access. Traffickers deploy sophisticated tactics: impersonating romantic partners, fabricating investment platforms, or posing as bank officials. In 2023, the FBI linked such scams to $3.5 billion in losses across the US, while Europol reported a 70% annual rise in European victims. Without stable connectivity, the elaborate ruses collapse.

Initially, compounds relied on Thai fibre-optic cables or Myanmar’s state-run networks. Yet crackdowns by regional governments—such as Thailand’s shutdown of 78 illegal internet relays in May 2024—pushed traffickers toward alternatives. Satellite internet, particularly Starlink, emerged as a solution. Portable, easy to conceal, and bypassing terrestrial infrastructure, the system’s low-earth orbit satellites provide connectivity even in Myanmar’s conflict zones.

Starlink’s Contradictory Presence in a War Zone

Myanmar’s ongoing civil war, sparked by a 2021 military coup, complicates oversight. The junta banned Starlink in 2023, yet enforcement remains sporadic. David Eubank of the Free Burma Rangers, which uses 80 Starlink units for humanitarian work, acknowledges the duality: “It’s a lifeline for us, but clearly, others are abusing it.”

Data reviewed by WIRED underscores this paradox. At KK Park, a sprawling compound housing thousands, 127 mobile devices logged 24,000 Starlink connections in three months. Similarly, Huanya compound recorded 4,000 connections via 63 devices. Analysts suggest traffickers register terminals in Malaysia or Thailand—where Starlink is legally available—before smuggling them into Myanmar.

SpaceX’s policies explicitly prohibit unauthorised use. The company states it will deactivate terminals linked to fraud. Yet when Erin West, a California-based prosecutor, alerted SpaceX to Tai Chang’s activities in July 2024, she received no response. Rangsiman Rome, a Thai MP, faced similar silence after tagging Musk on X (formerly Twitter) in February 2025.

Regional Crackdowns and Technological Loopholes

Thailand’s National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission (NBTC) has intensified efforts to sever scam networks. Since mid-2024, officials disrupted fibre lines, confiscated routers, and pressured mobile carriers to block cross-border signals. Palm Naripthaphan, an NBTC adviser, notes a direct correlation: “When we cut terrestrial links, Starlink usage spikes.”

In October 2024, Thai authorities intercepted 78 Starlink kits destined for Myanmar. Despite this, survivors like Mechelle B Moore of Global Alms Incorporated report minimal operational disruptions. “They just switch to Starlink or cellular dongles,” she explains. “The scams never stop.”

Compounding the issue, Musk’s federal role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has drawn scrutiny. Critics argue his dual position creates conflicts, particularly as Starlink expands in conflict zones like Ukraine. Meanwhile, funding cuts to USAID’s anti-trafficking programmes—spearheaded by DOGE—have strained victim support services.

The Human Cost of Connectivity

Behind the statistics lie harrowing testimonies. Trafficking survivors describe 18-hour shifts, with quotas to defraud at least five victims daily. Those failing face beatings, electric shocks, or solitary confinement. A 2023 UN report documented 47 deaths in Myanmar’s compounds over 18 months, most from torture or suicide.

Starlink’s role in perpetuating this cycle is undeniable. Satellite internet not only sustains scams but also aids recruitment. Fake job ads, often promising $1,500 monthly salaries, target vulnerable groups across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Once trapped, victims are coerced into luring others—a pyramid scheme of exploitation.

As international pressure mounts, questions linger. Can SpaceX realistically monitor its terminals in lawless regions? Should governments regulate satellite internet akin to dual-use technologies? For now, the dishes on Tai Chang’s rooftops symbolise a broader dilemma: innovation’s potential to empower and enslave, often simultaneously.

The Global Tech Dilemma – Regulation vs. Innovation

As scrutiny intensifies, the ethical tightrope between technological progress and criminal exploitation grows more precarious. While Starlink’s role in Myanmar’s scam compounds dominates headlines, similar patterns emerge globally. In Ukraine, Russian forces reportedly acquired Starlink terminals through black markets, undermining Kyiv’s strategic advantages. Meanwhile, African nations like Nigeria and Sudan grapple with unauthorised Starlink use, despite SpaceX’s April 2024 warnings to subscribers in unlicensed regions.

Starlink’s Geopolitical Chess Game

The system’s dual-use nature complicates international diplomacy. In Southeast Asia, Thailand’s regulatory limbo exemplifies the challenge. Though Starlink lacks official approval there, its terminals flood markets. Rangsiman Rome, the Thai MP, argues this loophole fuels cross-border crime: “Every device sold in Bangkok could end up powering torture chambers in Myawaddy.”

Meanwhile, SpaceX’s expansion into Cambodia, announced in January 2025, raises alarms. Local reports indicate partnerships with telecom firms linked to Chinese gambling syndicates—key players in Southeast Asia’s trafficking networks. Critics fear legitimising Starlink in Cambodia could provide cover for smuggling terminals into Myanmar.

Corporate Accountability in the Satellite Age

SpaceX’s terms of service prohibit misuse, yet enforcement remains inconsistent. In Africa, despite threats to disconnect unauthorised users by June 2024, many terminals remained active. Similarly, Ukrainian officials accused SpaceX of lax monitoring after Russian forces used Starlink during their October 2024 offensive near Kharkiv.

Erin West, founder of Operation Shamrock, highlights systemic flaws: “Starlink’s business model prioritises growth over accountability. They’re selling shovels in a gold rush, ignoring who digs graves with them.” Internal documents leaked in November 2024 reveal SpaceX’s customer service team lacks tools to geolocate terminals in real-time, relying instead on user-reported data.

Image Credit - Reuters

The Data Trail – Mapping Starlink’s Complicity

Forensic analysis of scam compounds reveals startling technical details. An anonymous ad-tech analyst, who shared findings with WIRED, explains how mobile devices log Starlink connections via IP addresses. At KK Park, 24,000 connections traced to 127 devices between November 2024 and February 2025 suggest heavy reliance on satellite internet.

Moreover, IP geolocation often points to Malaysia, hinting at smuggling routes. Traffickers allegedly register terminals there before moving them across the porous Thai-Myanmar border. Satellite imagery from February 2025 shows Starlink dishes mounted on trucks, enabling mobile operations that evade fixed-line shutdowns.

Government Responses – Carrots and Sticks

Regional authorities adopt divergent strategies. Thailand’s NBTC, led by Palm Naripthaphan, pushes for Starlink regulation through the Asia-Pacific Telecommunity. Conversely, Myanmar’s junta sporadically confiscates terminals while battling rebel groups—a haphazard approach that overlooks systemic issues.

China, despite its citizens comprising 60% of trafficking victims, focuses on bilateral raids. In January 2025, Chinese police rescued 2,000 nationals from Lao compounds, yet survivors claim Starlink-powered operations resumed within weeks.

The Ripple Effects of Funding Cuts

Compounding the crisis, Musk’s DOGE slashed USAID’s anti-trafficking budget by 34% in 2024—a $217 million reduction. Shelters like Mechelle B Moore’s Global Alms Incorporated now operate at half capacity. “We’re turning away survivors daily,” Moore admits. “Meanwhile, traffickers upgrade their Starlink arrays.”

Legal experts question Musk’s conflicting roles. As both SpaceX CEO and DOGE head, he oversees policies affecting Starlink’s oversight. Critics, including three US senators, demand ethics investigations. “You can’t regulate a industry you profit from,” argues Senator Elizabeth Warren.

Technological Workarounds and Their Limits

Some propose blocking Starlink signals over scam compounds. However, Eubank of the Free Burma Rangers warns blanket bans harm legitimate users. His team relies on Starlink to coordinate aid in conflict zones. “The same tech saving lives here feeds slavery there,” he says. “We need precision, not sledgehammers.”

Blockchain analysts suggest tracking cryptocurrency flows from scams to Starlink purchases. Over $1.2 billion in Tether transactions linked to Myanmar compounds were flagged in 2024. Yet SpaceX’s payment systems don’t integrate blockchain monitoring, creating blind spots.

The Role of International Law

Legal frameworks lag behind technological realities. The 1958 Outer Space Treaty lacks provisions for satellite misuse. Professor Ram Jakhu of McGill University argues for updated laws: “Starlink’s global reach demands global accountability. We need a UN-led registry for satellite terminals, with real-time audits.”

Meanwhile, INTERPOL’s Operation HAECHI IV, targeting cyber-enabled crimes, seized $300 million in 2024 but overlooked satellite infrastructure. “Traffickers innovate faster than we legislate,” laments INTERPOL Secretary-General Jürgen Stock.

Survivors’ Voices – A Call for Action

Amid policy debates, survivors emphasise urgency. “Every day Starlink stays online, more people disappear,” says Liu Wei, a Taiwanese man who escaped KK Park in December 2024. He recalls managers bragging about Musk’s technology: “They said even governments can’t stop them now.”

Liu’s testimony mirrors broader frustrations. Despite raids freeing 15,000 people since 2023, compounds replenish ranks faster than authorities can act. Starlink’s role as an enabler grows clearer—and more contentious—with each rescue.

 Accountability, Solutions, and the Road Ahead

The revelation of Starlink’s exploitation in Myanmar’s scam compounds has ignited global debates about corporate responsibility, technological governance, and the urgent need for systemic reforms. While the scale of the crisis is staggering, grassroots coalitions, legislative proposals, and technological countermeasures offer glimmers of hope.

Grassroots Advocacy and Survivor-Led Movements

Survivors of the scam compounds are increasingly shaping the narrative. In March 2025, a coalition of 17 trafficking victims—led by Liu Wei, who escaped KK Park in 2023—launched the #ShutTheDishes campaign. Their demands include real-time audits of Starlink’s global users and reparations from SpaceX. “Every minute SpaceX delays action, another person is tortured,” Liu stated at a UN press briefing. The group’s viral video, showing blurred footage of Starlink dishes atop Tai Chang, has garnered 12 million views.

Nonprofits like Operation Shamrock amplify these voices. Erin West, the group’s founder, coordinates with lawmakers to draft the Satellite Accountability Act, which would require satellite providers to geo-fence conflict zones. “If a $500 smartphone can block unauthorized locations, so can a $2,500 Starlink terminal,” West argues.

Technological Countermeasures and Innovation

Startups are racing to develop tools to disrupt illicit Starlink use. Singapore-based startup SignalGuard debuted a prototype in April 2025 that jams satellite frequencies within a 500-meter radius. Tested near the Myanmar border, the device reduced Starlink connectivity by 78% in targeted areas. However, ethical concerns persist. “We can’t risk cutting off aid groups,” admits SignalGuard CEO Raj Patel.

Other innovations focus on detection. The Berlin-based NGO Tech4Justice trains AI models to analyze satellite imagery for Starlink dishes. Partnering with Google Earth, their system flagged 1,200 potential terminals in Myanmar’s conflict zones in Q1 2025. While imperfect—the tool misidentifies solar panels as dishes 30% of the time—it provides actionable intelligence for regulators.

Legislative Momentum and Cross-Border Collaboration

Governments are slowly mobilizing. In February 2025, Thailand’s parliament approved the Cyberspace Crime Prevention Act, mandating ISP cooperation with regional anti-trafficking task forces. The law penalizes companies that fail to report suspicious terminal activity, with fines up to $200,000 per violation.

The U.S. has taken tentative steps. In January 2025, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee summoned SpaceX executives to explain their due diligence processes. While no binding legislation emerged, Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) proposed amendments to the Global Magnitsky Act to sanction companies profiting from forced labor. “If Starlink terminals are the new chains of slavery, we must break them,” Coons declared.

Myanmar’s shadowy political landscape complicates efforts. The junta, which earns an estimated $1.2 billion annually from scam compound kickbacks, has dismissed international pressure. Conversely, Cambodia’s government—under scrutiny for its own compounds—partnered with Interpol in March 2025 to dismantle 12 trafficking hubs, rescuing 3,000 people.

Corporate Accountability: SpaceX’s Reckoning

SpaceX faces mounting legal and reputational risks. In April 2025, the California Department of Justice opened an inquiry into whether Starlink’s Myanmar usage violates state human rights laws. Simultaneously, shareholders filed a derivative lawsuit alleging Musk’s dual role as CEO and federal official (via DOGE) created conflicts of interest.

Internally, SpaceX engineers reportedly proposed technical fixes, such as requiring biometric authentication for terminal activation. However, executives rejected the idea, citing costs and usability concerns. Leaked memos reveal heated debates: “We’re not the morality police,” one manager wrote, while a junior engineer countered, “But we’re enabling genocide.”

Musk’s public responses remain defiant. During a May 2025 X Spaces session, he likened restricting Starlink to “blaming spoons for obesity,” arguing that misuse is inevitable. Critics blasted the analogy. “Spoons don’t generate $10 billion annually for warlords,” retorted Human Rights Watch researcher Elaine Pearson.

The Humanitarian Toll and Long-Term Rehab

For survivors, the trauma lingers long after rescue. The Bangkok-based Trauma Recovery Center reports that 80% of trafficking victims suffer chronic anxiety, while 60% exhibit symptoms of complex PTSD. Many struggle with digital phobias, avoiding smartphones or computers entirely.

Economic reintegration remains fraught. Scam compounds often confiscate victims’ passports and coerce them into signing “debt contracts” for fictitious expenses like food or housing. The average survivor owes $15,000 upon release, according to the International Labour Organization. Groups like Liberty Shared lobby for debt forgiveness, but few governments have complied.

A Blueprint for Ethical Satellite Technology

The crisis underscores the need for industry-wide reforms. Proposed solutions include:

Geo-Fencing and Real-Time Monitoring: Satellite providers could block service in coordinates linked to trafficking hubs. During Ukraine’s 2022 invasion, SpaceX restricted Starlink near frontlines—a precedent advocates say should apply universally.

Collaborative Blacklists: Governments and NGOs could maintain shared databases of illicit terminals, requiring providers to deactivate them.

Transparent Supply Chains: Starlink distributors should vet buyers through Know-Your-Customer (KYC) checks, akin to banking regulations.

While imperfect, these measures could mitigate abuse without stifling innovation.

Conclusion: The Double-Edged Sword of Progress

Starlink’s entanglement with Myanmar’s scam compounds is a cautionary tale for the digital age. Technology designed to connect humanity has, in the wrong hands, deepened its fractures. For the 220,000+ individuals still trapped in Southeast Asia’s compounds, accountability can’t come soon enough.

The path forward demands collective action: survivors dictating policy, corporations embracing ethics, and governments prioritizing people over profit. As the sun sets over the Moei River, casting shadows on Tai Chang’s Starlink-studded rooftops, the world faces a choice—allow innovation to empower oppression or harness it to dismantle injustice. The dishes above Myanmar are more than hardware; they’re a test of our humanity.