Myanmar Scams: Fraud Compounds, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Scams operating in and from Myanmar, including fraud compound operations, and how to protect yourself.
Emergency number: 199 (police) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Myanmar has become internationally known as a base for large-scale organised fraud operations, particularly along its borders in areas such as the Myawaddy region. These operations — often referred to as scam compounds or cyber scam parks — run pig-butchering investment scams, fake job recruitment fraud, and romance scams targeting victims globally. Separately, tourists and residents face everyday fraud including unofficial taxi overcharging, online shopping scams, and mobile money fraud. The Myanmar Police Force handles criminal complaints at policeforce.gov.mm and the police emergency number is 199. Victims of internationally-operated scams should also report to their home-country fraud authority.
Common scams
- Pig-butchering investment scams operated from fraud compounds
- Fake job recruitment leading to trafficking into scam compounds
- Online shopping non-delivery and fake e-commerce sites
- Mobile money and digital wallet fraud
Tourist-specific scams
- Unofficial taxi overcharging and unmetered fares
- Gem and jade 'special deal' scams in markets
- Fake tour operators and unofficial guides
Online shopping scams
- Pig-butchering crypto investment fraud originating from the region
- Task scams via Telegram or WhatsApp
- Fake online shops and social media marketplace fraud
Job scams
- Fake overseas job offers used to lure workers into scam compounds
- Fraudulent recruiter ads on social media promising high-paying IT or customer service roles
Romance scams
- Long-term dating-app relationships designed to introduce fake crypto platforms
- Social media romance with escalating financial requests
Investment scams
- Fake crypto and forex trading platforms operated from Myanmar border regions
- AI trading bot and managed account investment fraud
How to report a scam here
- If you are inside Myanmar, call the police emergency line 199 or report to the Myanmar Police Force at policeforce.gov.mm
- If you are outside Myanmar and have been targeted by a Myanmar-based scam, report to your national fraud authority (e.g. Action Fraud in the UK, FBI IC3 in the US, or the ACCC in Australia)
- Report job scams or trafficking situations to your country's embassy or the International Justice Mission
- Preserve all evidence: chat logs, wallet addresses, transaction records, website screenshots
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Contact your bank immediately if any money was transferred. For crypto transactions, report wallet addresses to your exchange as quickly as possible — some exchanges can flag or freeze associated accounts.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What are Myanmar scam compounds?
Scam compounds are large organised crime operations typically located in border regions of Myanmar. They recruit workers — often through fake job ads — to operate online fraud at scale, including pig-butchering investment scams and fake job recruitment targeting people globally. International agencies including the UN and Interpol have documented these operations extensively.
How do I report a pig-butchering scam linked to Myanmar?
Report to your national fraud authority: Action Fraud (UK), FBI IC3 (US), or the ACCC Scamwatch (Australia). Also report crypto wallet addresses to your exchange. If you believe someone has been trafficked into a scam compound, contact the International Justice Mission or your country's embassy.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance