US Congress Launches Probe into Starlink's Alleged Links to Myanmar Scam Centers

Congressional Committee Investigates Starlink's Role

A bipartisan committee within the United States Congress has launched an investigation into Elon Musk's Starlink satellite internet service. The probe, initiated by the US Congress Joint Economic Committee in July, centers on allegations that Starlink's technology is enabling large-scale scam operations in Myanmar. These centers are accused of defrauding victims worldwide, including Americans, of billions of dollars annually.

The inquiry follows reports and satellite imagery indicating a significant presence of Starlink dishes on the rooftops of known scam compounds in Myanmar. This proliferation reportedly occurred after a regional crackdown in February that aimed to dismantle these criminal enterprises.

Starlink's Rapid Expansion Amidst Scam Operations

Despite not being officially licensed in Myanmar, Starlink has rapidly emerged as the country's largest internet provider within a three-month period. Data from the APNIC Asian regional internet registry shows Starlink topping the list of internet providers in Myanmar from July 3 to October 1. This rapid expansion has raised concerns, particularly as it coincides with the continued operation and even expansion of scam centers, notably in areas like KK Park in Myawaddy, near the Thailand-Myanmar border.

The scam centers are known for:

• Operating in heavily guarded compounds.
• Engaging in forced labor and human trafficking, with a 2023 UN report estimating up to 120,000 people are forced to work in these facilities.
• Luring workers with false promises, confiscating passports, and subjecting them to abuse.
• Being run by Chinese-led crime syndicates often in conjunction with Myanmar militias.

Calls for Accountability and Unanswered Questions

Senator Maggie Hassan, the leading Democrat on the congressional committee, has publicly urged Elon Musk to block Starlink's services to these fraudulent operations. In July, Senator Hassan sent a letter to Musk, posing 11 specific questions regarding Starlink's potential involvement, but has yet to receive a response. Former California prosecutor Erin West, who heads the Operation Shamrock group campaigning against these centers, described the situation as 'abhorrent that an American company is enabling this to happen.' West had previously warned Starlink in July 2024 about the misuse of its technology by crime syndicates, also without receiving a reply.

The US Treasury Department estimates that Americans lost approximately $10 billion last year to scammers based in Southeast Asia, marking a 66% increase in 12 months. As of the latest reports, SpaceX, the parent company of Starlink, has not responded to requests for comment regarding the allegations.