Laukkai – Myanmar

Laukkai was once under the administration of the Myanmar government but was later seized by the Shan State Army and incorporated into the Kokang Special Administrative Zone. Due to its border with China, the area became a hub for online criminal activity, including scam operations and call centers targeting Chinese citizens. In 2023, Chinese authorities collaborated with Myanmar to launch a major crackdown, successfully arresting many members of these criminal networks and rescuing numerous victims. As a result, the so-called “Grey Chinese Capital” relocated its operations to other cities, leaving Laukkai nearly deserted.

Tachileik – Myanmar

Tachileik, located in Myanmar along the border with Chiang Rai Province in Thailand, has become another relocation site for Grey Chinese Capital after operations moved from Laukkai. The area now serves as a base for call center scam syndicates and online gambling networks. In addition to victims of exploitation, some Thai nationals have been found working voluntarily as administrators, helping recruit customers to participate in online gambling platforms.

Kings Romans – Lao PDR

Following joint crackdowns on scam networks in several cities across Myanmar, it was found that some Grey Chinese Capital groups had relocated their operations to the Kings Romans Special Economic Zone in Ton Pheung District, Bokeo Province, Lao PDR—adjacent to the Golden Triangle and Chiang Saen District in Chiang Rai, Thailand. During police inspections, materials awaiting cross-border shipment were discovered, including equipment suspected to be used by call center scam syndicates. This has led authorities to believe that the Kings Romans casino may be serving as a base for fraudulent operations targeting the public.

Myawaddy – Myanmar

Myawaddy, a province in Myanmar bordering Thailand, lies adjacent to several districts in Tak Province. In this region, multiple towns have seen the establishment of casinos by Grey Chinese Capital groups, which are believed to serve as bases for transnational criminal activities.

Shwe Kokko – Myanmar

“Shwe Kokko” has been elevated to a Special Economic Zone known as “Yatai Shwe Kokko.” The city has become a hub for casinos, online gambling, scam operations, illegal pornography production, drug trafficking, and money laundering. It is controlled by Colonel Maung Chit Tu, leader of the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF). Located near the Thai border, adjacent to Mae Ramat and Mae Sot districts in Tak Province, Shwe Kokko was one of the key targets in joint crackdowns by Thai, Myanmar, and Chinese authorities against call center scam syndicates. However, after intensive enforcement measures during January–February 2025, the scam networks resumed operations once the pressure subsided.

KK Town – Myanmar

“KK Town” is located in the Saixigang Industrial Zone, directly across from Mae Ku Subdistrict in Mae Sot District, Tak Province, Thailand. It falls under the influence of Major Teng Win, deputy commander of the Karen Border Guard Force (BGF). Recognized as one of Myanmar’s most important Special Economic Zones, KK Town is also the country’s second-largest border crossing point. The town features luxury brand shopping centers, hotels, casinos, and a large hospital staffed by Chinese doctors. It has become a hub for transnational crime, where individuals from various countries are deceived into working as online scammers.

Valley Town – Myanmar

“Valley Town” is located less than 2 kilometers from the Thai border near Ban Valley Tai in Phop Phra District, Tak Province. Following heavy crackdowns in several cities, this area has emerged as a new destination for Grey Chinese Capital groups relocating their operations. The town falls under the influence of the Democratic Karen Benevolent Army (DKBA).

Taichang Town – Myanmar

“Taichang,” also known as Tha Chang, is a newly constructed town established in 2023, located directly across from Phop Phra District in Tak Province, Thailand. It has become a base for online scam operations and call center fraud networks.
Recently, another town—still under construction and not yet officially named—has emerged just 6–7 kilometers from Taichang. This new site is also being prepared as a future base for scam syndicates and online deception networks.

Payathonsu – Myanmar

Following coordinated crackdowns on scam networks across several towns in Myanmar, since 2024, Grey Chinese Capital has begun relocating its operations to “Mawlamyai” and “Payathonsu,” located in Ja In Seik Gyi Province near the Three Pagodas Pass border crossing in Sangkhla Buri District, Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand.
This area falls under the influence of Colonel A-One, also known as Pyo Lin, commander of Tactical Command Center 2 of the DKBA (Democratic Karen Benevolent Army). It has become a transit route for drug trafficking, smuggling of untaxed goods, and human trafficking networks operating across both Thai and Myanmar territories.

Poipet – Cambodia

Following coordinated crackdowns on scam operations in several towns across Myanmar, portions of the Grey Chinese Capital have reportedly shifted back to Cambodia—specifically to “Poipet,” located in Banteay Meanchey Province. This border town, known for its casinos, lies adjacent to Aranyaprathet District in Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand.
Authorities have identified Poipet as a new hub for illicit activities, including call center scams and online gambling. One such group, known as the Poipet Battalion, has been reported to impersonate Thai police officers during video calls to deceive Thai citizens.

O’Smach – Cambodia

Grey Chinese Capital has continued relocating its operations to “O’Smach,” located in Oddar Meanchey Province, Cambodia, near the Thai border crossing at Chong Chom in Surin Province. According to security sources, call center scam networks began shifting their base of operations to this area in 2024.
This movement aligns with observed developments in the region, including the construction of several large buildings adjacent to two casinos—raising concerns that the site may become a new operational hub for scam syndicates.

Koh Kong – Cambodia

The development of real estate projects—including resorts, hotels, casinos, an airport, and a deep-sea port—in Koh Kong Province under the Dara Sakor Project has become a major base for transnational cybercrime, alongside Sihanoukville. Prior to Cambodia’s intensified crackdown, these areas served as key operational hubs for illicit activities. This enforcement effort prompted Grey Chinese Capital to relocate its operations to other countries.

Sihanoukville – Cambodia

Behind the scenes of the casino industry and certain real estate developments in Sihanoukville, Preah Sihanouk Province, as well as the Dara Sakor Project in Koh Kong Province, Cambodia, these areas became part of a transnational cybercrime network. A significant number of Thai nationals were lured into working for these criminal groups.
Prior to Cambodia’s major crackdown in 2019, these locations served as key operational hubs. The enforcement prompted Grey Chinese Capital to relocate its operations to other countries, such as Myanmar, which at the time lacked regulatory frameworks to control such activities.

Bavet – Cambodia

According to testimony from Thai victims who escaped call center scam operations, many were taken to work in Bavet, located in Svay Rieng Province, Cambodia, near the border with Vietnam. The area hosts organized call center syndicates that have deceived many Thai nationals into working for them. Those who fail to meet performance targets reportedly face physical abuse and food deprivation.