Thailand cut electricity supplies on Wednesday to several areas in neighboring Myanmar that are home to sites at the center of a global, billion-dollar online scam industry.

The move aims to deter the operations of call centre scamming gangs based in the area. Read more at straitstimes.com.

Thailand will suspend electricity supply to some border areas with Myanmar in an effort to curb scam centres, its government said on Tuesday, amid growing pressure on the illegal compounds that have ensnared vast numbers of people of multiple nationalities.

The measures were announced on the eve of PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s state visit to China, during which she is set to discuss anti-scam efforts with Xi Jinping.

The power cut at 9 a.m. local time affects Myanmar’s Payathonzu in Mon state, Ban Muang Daeng and the Thai-Myanmar Friendship Bridge in Tachileik, Shan state, and the eastern town of Myawaddy in Kayin state, he said.