Inside the Myanmar ‘scam compounds’: 119 Kenyans rescued from global fraud rings
138 Ethiopians, 23 Kenyans rescued from Myanmar slavery camps.
The State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) has confirmed the government has repatriated 119 Kenyans from illegal scam compounds in Myanmar, with efforts ongoing for the remaining 198.
The compounds, which are located in Karen State near the Thai border, were used by criminal syndicates to commit online fraud. The syndicates recruited workers, including Kenyans, by making false promises about the jobs. Recent raids by the Myanmar authorities and clashes with rebel groups have left hundreds of people stranded in military shelters and in Thailand.
“The government of Kenya remains committed to the welfare of its citizens abroad. We are working closely with our embassy in Bangkok, the Thai and Myanmar authorities, Kenya Airways and families to ensure the safe and efficient repatriation of our citizens,” the department said in a statement.
It said it has coordinated travel logistics, issued emergency travel documents and provided psychosocial support for those returning home. Upon arrival, nationals are interviewed by Kenya’s Transnational Organised Crime Unit to assist in prosecuting the syndicates.
The authorities warned that many repatriates had ignored prior advisories and entered Thailand on tourist visas despite restrictions. They also urged caution against offers promising work visas.
"If you are issued a tourist visa on the understanding that it will be converted to a work visa, that is a clear red flag," it warned.
Repatriation operations are expected to resume after the holiday period, with families advised to purchase tickets independently where necessary.
Between March and November 2025, the Kenyan government conducted multiple evacuations from similar scam operations, rescuing hundreds of Kenyan nationals. Despite these efforts, some individuals returned to the compounds, bypassing prior evacuations.
A total of 198 Kenyans are currently awaiting repatriation from Southeast Asia. Of these, 66 are detained in Thailand’s Immigration Detention Centres (IDCs), while the remaining 129 are in shelters in Myanmar. The Kenyan Embassy is also coordinating assistance for three Kenyan nationals staying at the Caritas Catholic safe house in Cambodia.
Initially, authorities said that 86 Kenyans housed in military shelters had refused to cooperate, demanding government-funded tickets and spreading misinformation on social media. However, by 19 December 2025, they had provided next-of-kin details, enabling the repatriation process to begin.
Departures have been temporarily delayed due to holiday border closures, but are expected to resume after the festive season.
The government has raised concerns over recurring patterns among those seeking repatriation. Most of them had entered Thailand on tourist visas between April 2024 and November 2025, despite clear restrictions on employment.
At Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), many claimed that their travel was purely for tourism. Several had also bypassed previous government evacuation efforts, including a major operation in March 2025, only to return and engage in scam work.
Despite extensive awareness campaigns on TV, radio and social media, at public meetings (known as 'barazas') and in advisories, warning people against fraudulent job offers in Southeast Asia, many people admitted to having prior knowledge of scam roles.
Some Myanmar nationals were related and had referred each other to these operations. Several entered the country via unofficial border crossings and were arrested for possessing forged documents.
Officials noted that no trafficking or missing persons reports had previously been filed with Kenyan security agencies, the SDDA or the Kenyan Embassy in Bangkok, and that most cases only came to light following raids.
There are also concerns that some of the recruiters operating through proxies were individuals who had previously been rescued by the government and had then returned to scam compounds.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs continues to urge Kenyans to heed travel advisories and avoid unauthorised work abroad.
In November, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi raised concerns about Kenyans deported from Southeast Asia for cybercrime, warning that many of them may resume their criminal activities upon returning to Kenya, thereby threatening the country's cybersecurity.
He cited the case of Maxwell Mutiso, who, after being deported from Myanmar, secretly re-entered the country via Malaysia and Thailand to work in scam centres. Mutiso was arrested at Mae Sot Airport for using a fake stamp and is currently in custody, facing charges of illegal entry and document forgery.
“This shows that some of those rescued are not victims, but are actually part of criminal networks,” said Mudavadi, stressing the need for proper reintegration programmes to prevent major security threats.
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