Economist Podcasts

Scam Inc 3: The bottom line

88 snips
Feb 8, 2025
Sammy Chen, a Taiwanese businessman with firsthand knowledge of scam operations in Myanmar, shares insights into the grim realities of scam centers and the façade that entraps victims. Jackie Burns-Coven, a cyber threat researcher, reveals the alarming intertwining of cryptocurrency with organized scams, detailing how these operations mimic corporate structures. They discuss the recruitment techniques used to lure individuals, the complexities of financial laundering, and the harrowing stories of victims caught in a web of exploitation and deception.
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ANECDOTE

Life Inside KK Park

  • Sammy Chen, a Taiwanese businessman, frequented KK Park, a notorious scam center in Myanmar.
  • He witnessed extravagant spending by scam bosses, including a $200,000 monthly landscaping budget and lavish karaoke parties.
ANECDOTE

A Night at KK Park

  • Sammy Chen recounted a night at KK Park where a girl was paid $8,000 to stay in his room.
  • He refused her services but still endured a flea-ridden sofa and mosquito-infested room.
ANECDOTE

A Woman's Story

  • Sammy Chen interviewed a woman in debt who willingly came to KK Park.
  • She became an escort because she felt trapped by her investment and adapted to the environment.
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