LONDON / MYAWADDY — The British government has imposed sanctions on Wan Kuok Koi, the notorious former leader of the 14K Triad, for his central role in operating high-tech scam centers in war-torn Myanmar.
Known widely by his alias “Broken Tooth,” Wan was blacklisted on March 26, 2026, as part of a coordinated international effort to dismantle human trafficking and cyber-fraud networks in Southeast Asia. Justice For Myanmar (JFM), a human rights watchdog, has welcomed the move, highlighting the severe human rights abuses occurring within his controlled territories.
Central to the UK’s decision is Wan’s investment in Dongmei Park, a sprawling compound in Myawaddy Township, Karen State. The facility is located in an area controlled by the Border Guard Force (BGF), an ethnic militia previously under the command of the Myanmar military.
Testimonies from survivors paint a grim picture of life inside the park. A victim identified as “Neo” told the New York Times that he was lured with the promise of a well-paid translation job, only to be held captive for seven months. He was forced by criminal gangs to carry out cryptocurrency scams under constant threat of violence.
The compound is described as a fortified fortress, complete with watchtowers and armed guards in military fatigues. Beyond scamming operations, reports suggest the park facilitates illegal drug trade and forced prostitution, making escape nearly impossible for those trafficked into the zone.
Wan Kuok Koi is no stranger to international law enforcement. Once the kingpin of Macau’s underworld, he served over a decade in prison before rebranding himself as a legitimate businessman and promoter of China’s “Belt and Road” initiatives—a claim the Chinese government has officially denied.
The UK’s sanctions follow a similar move by the United States, which blacklisted Wan in 2020 for corruption and human rights abuses linked to his business ventures in Southeast Asia, including the ambitious “Saixigang” project in Cambodia and Dongmei Park in Myanmar.
The Myawaddy region has become a global epicenter for cyber-scams since the 2021 military coup in Myanmar. The lack of central authority and the proliferation of armed proxies have allowed criminal syndicates to operate with near-total impunity.
“These sanctions are a vital step in cutting off the financial lifelines of those who profit from modern slavery,” a JFM spokesperson said. “However, the international community must do more to pressure the military authorities who provide these criminals with the security and infrastructure needed to thrive.”
The move by the British Foreign Office marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic pressure on criminal networks operating along the Thai-Myanmar border, as global governments struggle to contain a scam industry that steals billions of dollars from victims worldwide each year.
