Thailand has finally cut electricity to multiple scam factory compounds operating along its border with Myanmar. These massive criminal hubs have been running online fraud schemes for years, raking in billions while holding workers against their will.
While this move is a step in the right direction, I can’t help but ask—why has it taken this long?
Who Am I to Ask These Questions?
For those who don’t know me, I’m Danny de Hek, aka The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger. I dedicate my time to exposing scams, fraudsters, and the multi-level marketing bottom feeders of the world. My mission is to protect mum and dad investors from losing their life savings to these criminals. Through my YouTube channel, podcast, and blog, I shine a light on the darkest corners of the internet, calling out Ponzi schemes and the social media platforms that enable them.
These Scam Factories Are No Secret
If you’ve been following the scam-busting community, you know these scam compounds are ginormous—full-fledged cities complete with restaurants, grocery stores, and even daycare centers. YouTubers like myself and dedicated fraud fighters like Erin West have been documenting these crime hubs for years. The evidence has been overwhelming. Yet, for some reason, Thailand has only now decided to take action? What changed? The answer is simple: pressure from China.
China Pushes Thailand to Act
The turning point seemed to be the kidnapping of Chinese actor Wang Xing, who was lured to Thailand and trafficked into one of these scam factories. The Chinese government, which has been dealing with thousands of its citizens being scammed, finally had enough. The message to Thailand was clear—cut off the power or deal with diplomatic fallout. This should have been done years ago, but let’s not kid ourselves—this was never about protecting victims. It was about appeasing a major political and economic powerhouse.
What Happens to the Victims?
Now that the power is off, what happens next? Scam compounds don’t just disappear overnight. Most of these operations have backup generators, and many use Starlink for internet access. But beyond that—what happens to the people inside these compounds? Thousands of individuals have been trafficked and forced into these scams under threat of violence. Do they get released? Do they become refugees? Or will they simply be transferred to another location and forced to continue working under new conditions? Nobody is answering these questions. Cutting power is one thing, but without a proper rescue and repatriation plan, thousands remain trapped.
What About Other Countries?
Myanmar isn’t the only country harboring these scam operations. Cambodia, Laos, and even the Philippines have their own versions of these crime syndicates. Will this pressure extend beyond Myanmar? Will we see similar crackdowns in other nations? Or will these scam factories just relocate and continue business as usual? The real fight isn’t just about shutting off electricity—it’s about dismantling the networks that allow these scams to exist in the first place.
The Biggest Scam Factories? Social Media Platforms.
Let’s not ignore the elephant in the room. While we’re talking about scam factories in Myanmar, let’s talk about scam factories on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and Zoom. These platforms are breeding grounds for scams, yet they do nothing to stop them. Why? Because they profit from them. They rake in advertising dollars from fraudulent investment schemes while silencing the very people trying to expose them.
I know this firsthand. My Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger YouTube channel was terminated for exposing scams. Facebook banned me because someone falsely reported me as a scammer. And guess what? I can’t appeal these decisions because the AI-driven systems make it impossible. I even wrote a blog detailing my battle with YouTube (“YouTube Termination of The Crypto Ponzi Scheme Avenger Channel: A Fight Against Scammers or a Flawed System?”). These platforms have the technology to stop scammers—so why don’t they? Because they don’t want to.
Why 2025 is a Game Changer
The fight against scams is changing. We now have tools like AI that can detect fraudulent patterns and shut these operations down before they even start. We have law enforcement officials like Erin West leading the charge against cybercrime. And we have independent investigators like myself refusing to stay silent. But it’s not enough. We need action. We need governments to stop waiting for China to tell them what to do. We need social media platforms to take responsibility. And most of all, we need people to wake up and demand change.
Final Thoughts
Shutting off power to Myanmar’s scam compounds is a small victory, but it’s nowhere near enough. Until we address the bigger issues—human trafficking, social media complicity, and international inaction—this fight isn’t over. If governments and tech companies won’t step up, then it’s up to people like me, Erin West, and the countless others exposing these scams every day. The criminals aren’t stopping, so why should we?
Leave A Comment