Watch: Inside the brand new city 'built on scams'

BBC - Feb 7th, 2025
Open on BBC

Shwe Kokko, a newly constructed city on the Myanmar-Thai border, is under scrutiny for being built on the proceeds of illegal activities, including scams, money laundering, and human trafficking. The mastermind behind this controversial project, She Zhijiang, is currently in a Bangkok jail, facing extradition to China. This city, despite its modern appearance, has become a focal point for criminal enterprises, casting a shadow over the region's socio-economic landscape. The BBC's Jonathan Head was given a rare opportunity to witness this city firsthand, uncovering the complex and illicit operations fueling its existence.

The establishment of Shwe Kokko raises significant concerns about the enforcement of law and order in one of Asia's poorest regions. This development highlights the challenges faced by Myanmar and its neighbors in curbing transnational crime and corruption. The case of She Zhijiang underscores the international dimension of crime syndicates exploiting vulnerable areas for financial gain. The implications of this story are profound, shedding light on the systemic issues that enable such enterprises to thrive and posing questions about regional cooperation and governance in tackling organized crime.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.0
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article provides a compelling look into the alleged criminal activities surrounding Shwe Kokko, a city on the Myanmar-Thai border. It scores high on accuracy due to its alignment with verified facts, though it could benefit from more comprehensive sourcing and transparency regarding the journalist's methodology. The story is timely and addresses significant issues of public interest, such as human trafficking and international crime. While it maintains clarity and readability, the article could enhance its impact and engagement by incorporating diverse perspectives and deeper analysis of the issues. Overall, the piece effectively raises awareness of a critical issue but leaves room for further exploration and discussion.

RATING DETAILS

8
Accuracy

The story's claims about Shwe Kokko being a city on the Myanmar-Thai border and its association with scams, money laundering, and human trafficking are well-supported by external sources. The involvement of She Zhijiang, who is currently in a Bangkok jail awaiting extradition to China, is a factual claim corroborated by multiple reports. However, the story could benefit from more precise data on the extent and nature of the alleged illegal activities. Despite this, the core factual elements align with documented evidence, lending the story a high degree of accuracy.

6
Balance

The story predominantly focuses on the negative aspects of Shwe Kokko, such as its links to scams and criminal activities. While these are significant, the article could provide a more balanced view by including perspectives from local authorities or residents who might have different experiences or insights. The lack of alternative viewpoints may suggest a bias towards highlighting only the illicit activities, which could skew the reader's perception of the situation.

8
Clarity

The article is concise and clear in its presentation of the main claims, making it accessible to readers. The language is straightforward, and the structure allows for easy comprehension of the key points. However, the brevity of the piece may leave some readers seeking more detailed context or background information on the issues discussed.

7
Source quality

The story references credible sources such as the BBC and mentions a journalist, Jonathan Head, which adds to its credibility. However, it does not provide direct quotes or detailed attributions that would strengthen the source quality further. The reliance on a well-known media outlet suggests reliability, but the inclusion of more diverse sources or expert opinions could enhance the depth and authority of the reporting.

6
Transparency

The article lacks detailed explanations of how the information was gathered, particularly regarding the journalist's visit to Shwe Kokko. While it mentions Jonathan Head's invitation to the city, it does not clarify the conditions or sources of this information. Greater transparency about the methodology and potential conflicts of interest would improve the audience's understanding of the basis for the claims made.

Sources

  1. https://news.futuresoutheastasia.com/p/shwe-kokko-new-city
  2. https://thepeoplesmap.net/project/shwe-kokko-special-economic-zone-yatai-new-city/
  3. https://www.business-humanrights.org/en/latest-news/myanmar-how-shwe-kokko-becomes-a-hub-for-online-scams-and-human-trafficking-as-chinese-money-funds-new-city-project/
  4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shwe_Kokko
  5. https://www.occrp.org/en/news/gambling-tycoons-partners-abandon-him-as-extradition-to-china-looms