Despite efforts to morph its image, Shwe Kokko thrives on scams, while its controversial developer faces extradition.
Scams in Shwe Kokko: Inside Myanmar’s Bizarre and Dangerous Mirage City
Scams in Shwe Kokko: Inside Myanmar’s Bizarre and Dangerous Mirage City
A glimpse into Shwe Kokko, a city built on fraud amidst a civil war, reveals a surreal façade.
In the vast landscape of Myanmar’s Karen State, a surreal sight emerges: tall, gleaming buildings populate the fields along the Moei River, instantly contrasting with the region's dire poverty and ongoing civil conflict. Eight years ago, this area existed as a remnant of war-torn desolation, but today, it presents itself as Shwe Kokko, or Golden Raintree – a city marred by accusations of scams and illegal activities.
Once a vision of entrepreneurial ambition, Shwe Kokko is now a nexus for fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking, built by She Zhijiang, currently imprisoned in Bangkok. His company, Yatai, projects a utopian image of the city, promoting it as a luxurious resort for affluent Chinese tourists, while simultaneously grappling with its dark reputation that has begun to detrimentally affect tourism in neighboring Thailand.
Accessing Shwe Kokko has always been a nightmare, made increasingly challenging as civil war intensified following the military coup in 2021. The treacherous journey from Myanmar's main city, Yangon, takes days, filled with security checkpoints and potential armed conflicts. A quick crossing from Thailand is possible but fraught with dangers, as travelers must evade the police and military patrols.
During a poorly supervised tour, we observed Yatai’s efforts to gloss over Shwe Kokko's negative image. Despite claims of a thriving community filled with prosperity and visitors, the city echoed with a sense of emptiness, populated primarily by local Karen workers rather than the anticipated influx of wealthy tourists.
While Yatai asserts that the scam operations have been eradicated, locals narrate a different story. Underground operations and deceit thrive, employing both willing workers and those abducted into these corrupt endeavors. Stories of escaped victims describe harrowing experiences of exploitation targeting unsuspecting individuals through online scams.
Corporate officials refrain from revealing specifics about the city's tenants and claim that businesses include hotels and casinos, but the ambiguity shrouds the truth. The presence of armed militia managing security has become a sight as regular as the high-rises themselves, hinting at the city's precarious foundation.
She Zhijiang’s narrative comes across as conflicted; he presents himself as a victim caught in geopolitical gambles between China and its estranged partners. Although admitting the high likelihood of scammers frequenting Shwe Kokko, he insists he is merely a facilitator without control over the illegal activities.
In this chaotic landscape of war, lawlessness, and corruption, the city's future remains in doubt. With governments determined to shut down these scams, the socio-economic fabric of Shwe Kokko threatens to unravel. The trading of one type of misery for another leaves observers pondering how much longer the dreams for this city can withstand the reality of its deceptions.
Once a vision of entrepreneurial ambition, Shwe Kokko is now a nexus for fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking, built by She Zhijiang, currently imprisoned in Bangkok. His company, Yatai, projects a utopian image of the city, promoting it as a luxurious resort for affluent Chinese tourists, while simultaneously grappling with its dark reputation that has begun to detrimentally affect tourism in neighboring Thailand.
Accessing Shwe Kokko has always been a nightmare, made increasingly challenging as civil war intensified following the military coup in 2021. The treacherous journey from Myanmar's main city, Yangon, takes days, filled with security checkpoints and potential armed conflicts. A quick crossing from Thailand is possible but fraught with dangers, as travelers must evade the police and military patrols.
During a poorly supervised tour, we observed Yatai’s efforts to gloss over Shwe Kokko's negative image. Despite claims of a thriving community filled with prosperity and visitors, the city echoed with a sense of emptiness, populated primarily by local Karen workers rather than the anticipated influx of wealthy tourists.
While Yatai asserts that the scam operations have been eradicated, locals narrate a different story. Underground operations and deceit thrive, employing both willing workers and those abducted into these corrupt endeavors. Stories of escaped victims describe harrowing experiences of exploitation targeting unsuspecting individuals through online scams.
Corporate officials refrain from revealing specifics about the city's tenants and claim that businesses include hotels and casinos, but the ambiguity shrouds the truth. The presence of armed militia managing security has become a sight as regular as the high-rises themselves, hinting at the city's precarious foundation.
She Zhijiang’s narrative comes across as conflicted; he presents himself as a victim caught in geopolitical gambles between China and its estranged partners. Although admitting the high likelihood of scammers frequenting Shwe Kokko, he insists he is merely a facilitator without control over the illegal activities.
In this chaotic landscape of war, lawlessness, and corruption, the city's future remains in doubt. With governments determined to shut down these scams, the socio-economic fabric of Shwe Kokko threatens to unravel. The trading of one type of misery for another leaves observers pondering how much longer the dreams for this city can withstand the reality of its deceptions.
