Thai Authorities Seize Starlink Devices Destined for Myanmar Scam Operations

Thai law enforcement intercepted 38 Starlink satellite transmitters on Saturday, allegedly intended for use in scam centers in Myanmar. The seizure was made near the Thai-Myanmar border in the Mae Sot district by the Ratchamanu Task Force and a drug suppression unit. This marks the second such confiscation in recent weeks, with an earlier bust in March 2023 where 10 devices were seized.

The devices were hidden inside boxes in a white Isuzu pickup truck, which was stopped by authorities at a border checkpoint. These Starlink receivers have reportedly been used by organized criminal groups in Myanmar to facilitate fraudulent schemes, such as cryptocurrency investment scams. These operations typically rely on fast internet to communicate with a broad network of victims.

In response to Myanmar’s growing scam industry, Thailand’s government had earlier cut electricity and telecommunications to certain areas in Myanmar. However, cybercriminals have adapted by increasingly relying on satellite internet connections. Starlink’s low-Earth orbit satellites have become a preferred tool for these illicit operations.

In February 2024, Thailand’s Digital Economy and Society Ministry elevated the issue of satellite internet being used for scamming as a priority. Local lawmakers, including Rangsiman Rome, have pointed fingers at Starlink and its parent company SpaceX for the misuse of its technology in the region.

A Wired investigation found that at least eight scam compounds were using Starlink devices near the border, with evidence showing hundreds of phones connected to Starlink transmitters between November 2023 and February 2024.

Starlink’s policy prohibits the use of its services for fraudulent activities, and the company has stated that unauthorized users in restricted areas such as Myanmar should not have access to its network. Despite this, Starlink devices can still be sold on the black market, falling into the hands of criminals.

In response to the growing issue, experts from the Stimson Center, a U.S.-based think tank, have urged Starlink to implement stricter "Know Your Customer" protocols and to monitor suspicious activities like unauthorized resales. They also called for stronger regulations to curb the misuse of satellite and internet services in global scamming operations.