Scam centres in the Blue Pacific: a security threat we cannot ignore

A real and pressing security concern is emerging in the Pacific. There has been an increase in online scamming, a complex and evolving threat that is relatively new to the region.

This shift seems to be part of the expansion of transnational crimes into vulnerable small island states.

What are online scam centres?

Online scam centres are large-scale and highly organised criminal operations that rely on forced labour to carry out global cyber fraud. Victims of human trafficking are forced to conduct ‘pig butchering’ and romance scams while being held inside heavily guarded compounds. Individuals are often lured with fake job offers, made to surrender their passports upon arrival, and subjected to threats, violence, and other forms of coercion. These operations are commonly found in Southeast Asia, in countries such as Cambodia, Myanmar, and Laos.

Operators behind these scam centres typically use social media platforms, dating applications, and messaging services to target and manipulate  victims around the world. Some of the most common scams include pig butchering, cryptocurrency fraud, romance scams, and digital arrest scams.

One of the most notorious cyber scam hubs, KK Park in Myanmar, was raided in 2025. The compound was associated with online fraud, money laundering, and human trafficking. During the raid, more than 2,000 workers were released and 30 Starlink satellite terminals were confiscated. Reports indicate that thousands of people had been lured to the compound with promises of well-paid employment but were instead forced to run elaborate scams, stealing billions of dollars from victims.

Online scam centres in the Pacific

Operations that were previously concentrated in Southeast Asian countries are now attempting to establish themselves in Pacific Island countries. Palau, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, Timor-Leste, and Papua New Guinea have encountered elements of this evolving threat. According to the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a scam centre uncovered in Palau had connections to Chinese criminal syndicates. Individuals involved operated from abandoned or enclosed buildings, having entered Palau as tourists before applying for work permits.

Palau faces significant challenges in responding to online scams. With no cybercrime laws or regulations in place and limited technical resources and investigative capacity, it is difficult for law enforcement to effectively detect, prosecute, and dismantle these networks. Many people working within these operations are believed to be victims of human trafficking, further complicating enforcement efforts.

In a report on the Pacific’s evolving threat landscape, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime highlights the growing risks posed by transnational organised crime in the region. Drug trafficking, money laundering and the proliferation of cyber-enabled fraud – including large-scale scam centres where workers are trafficked and abused – are emerging and interconnected threats.

In 2025, a raid was carried out in the Oecusse region of Timor-Leste, where a ‘digital centre’ was discovered. The centre was making use of Starlink satellite devices and multiple SIM cards to operate large-scale online scams. The fact that this kind of activity was uncovered in Timor-Leste suggests that scammers are spreading out across the region. Such operations are no longer isolated incidents, but part of a broader shift.

With limited expertise, legislative gaps and constrained enforcement capacity, Pacific Island states face significant obstacles in addressing this threat. As transnational criminal networks recognise the vulnerabilities of small developing island states, the Pacific is increasingly becoming an attractive target for exploitation.

What can we do?

Regional initiatives such as Cyber Safety Pasifika have played a significant role in strengthening cyber awareness and investigation capabilities across the Pacific. But these programs appear to focus mainly on cyber awareness and general investigative training rather than specifically addressing the emerging threat of organised online scam centres.

Amid growing evidence that such scam centres are beginning to relocate to the Pacific, a more targeted regional response is needed. Some recommendations we can consider include:

Strengthening national legislation: Pacific Island countries should review and strengthen their existing cybercrime legislation to specifically address cyber-enabled fraud operations. Islands that do not yet have the necessary legal frameworks in place should seek assistance from countries in the region that already have such legislation and learn from their experiences and best practices.

Integrating a scam centre focus into regional cyber programs: Regional initiatives such as Cyber Safety Pasifika could include a dedicated focus on the detection, prevention, and disruption of organised scam centres. This could include specialised training on identifying scam centre indicators, cryptocurrency tracing, digital financial investigations, and intelligence-led policing approaches.

Enhancing regional intelligence sharing: Through mechanisms such as the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police network, Pacific countries should strengthen intelligence sharing and joint investigations related to transnational cyber fraud syndicates. Establishing early warning systems and coordinated regional responses will help prevent these criminal networks from exploiting vulnerabilities within smaller jurisdictions.

Given the vulnerabilities of small island states, a collective and proactive regional response is essential.

Ayanna Ramarui is a policy analyst within Palau’s National Security Coordination Office, where she supports national initiatives related to security and foreign affairs.

Views expressed via the Pacific Wayfinder blog are not necessarily those of the Pacific Security College. Read our publishing policy.