A Chinese court has imposed the death penalty on 16 individuals connected to a major fraud operation based in Myanmar. The sentences were issued within a single day, underscoring China’s commitment to cracking down on cross-border criminal activities. The condemned individuals were all members of the Ming family, who were implicated in running fraudulent schemes that targeted victims across the region.
The Ming family was a prominent player in the criminal networks that transformed the town of Laukkaing, near the Chinese border in Myanmar, into a hub for illegal activities. These activities encompassed gambling, drug trafficking, and extensive online fraud operations, all of which drew the attention of Chinese and Myanmar authorities.
Following a series of arrests in Myanmar, which included the handover of several family members to Chinese authorities in 2023, China initiated legal proceedings. The court in Wenzhou, China, delivered sentences to a total of 39 individuals associated with the Ming family. Eleven individuals were sentenced to death, five received suspended death sentences, eleven were sentenced to life in prison, and the remaining individuals received sentences ranging from five to 24 years.
Investigations revealed that the Ming family, in collaboration with other criminal groups, was involved in various illegal operations. These included telecommunications fraud, the operation of illegal casinos, drug trafficking, and prostitution. The financial gains from these activities were substantial, amounting to billions of yuan, reflecting the scale of their fraudulent and gambling operations.
The court also held the Ming family responsible for the deaths of laborers employed in the fraud centers. These workers, subjected to harsh conditions, were sometimes killed to prevent them from returning to China. The fraud operations initially began in response to high demand for gambling from Chinese citizens, with gambling being illegal in China and neighboring countries. However, the casinos in Laukkaing evolved into fronts for more extensive criminal activities, including money laundering.
The United Nations has referred to these fraud centers as part of the “Scamdemic,” where over 100,000 foreign citizens, primarily Chinese, were held and forced to participate in online scams. The Ming family, once a powerful force in Shan State, Myanmar, controlled numerous fraud centers in Laukkaing. “Crouching Tiger Villa,” a notorious location, was known for its abuse of laborers.
In recent events, rebel groups displaced the Myanmar army from Laukkaing, possibly with backing from China. The leader of the Ming family reportedly took his own life, while other members faced legal repercussions. Following the crackdown, thousands of workers have been handed over to Chinese police.
In an effort to combat similar criminal activities, Thailand has also taken action. Despite the efforts, fraudulent operations have adjusted, moving their focus to locations like Cambodia while continuing to operate in Myanmar.