News|CybercrimeChina executes 11 linked to Myanmar scam operations: State mediaAmong the executed were members of the ‘Ming family criminal group’, whose activities had contributed to the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens and injuries to ‘many others’, reported Xinhua.
China has executed 11 individuals linked to online scam centers in Myanmar, as part of its intensified efforts to combat illegal operations, according to state media.
China has executed 11 individuals linked to online scam centers in Myanmar, as part of its intensified efforts to combat illegal operations, according to state media.
The executions were carried out on Thu, following a death sentence delivered by a court in Wenzhou in September. The crimes involved intentional homicide, intentional injury, unlawful detention, fraud, and casino establishment.
Fraudulent operations targeting internet users with fake romantic relationships and cryptocurrency investments have proliferated in Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar's border regions. These operations initially targeted Chinese speakers but have since expanded to multiple languages, defrauding victims globally. Some perpetrators are complicit, while others are trafficked foreign nationals.
China has increased collaboration with Thailand and Myanmar to dismantle these operations, resulting in the repatriation of thousands for trial. The Supreme People's Court in Beijing confirmed the death sentences, citing conclusive evidence of crimes dating back to 2015.
The executed individuals included members of the "Ming family criminal group," implicated in the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens and injuries to others.
Fraud operations in Myanmar's border areas have extracted billions through phone and internet scams. Experts indicate that these centers are predominantly managed by Chinese-led syndicates in cooperation with local militias, exploiting Myanmar's instability.
The executions were carried out on Thu, following a death sentence delivered by a court in Wenzhou in September.
Myanmar's military government, accused of previous inaction, has heightened its crackdown since February, allegedly influenced by China. However, some raids may serve a propagandist purpose, designed to alleviate pressure from China while preserving profits that benefit military allies.
In October, over 2,000 arrests were made during a raid on KK Park, a known scam center near the Thai border. Additionally, the September court rulings included death sentences with two-year reprieves for five others and prison terms ranging from five years to life for 23 suspects.
In November, Chinese authorities sentenced five individuals to death for scam-related activities in Myanmar's Kokang region, leading to the deaths of six Chinese nationals.
The United Nations estimates that approximately 120,000 individuals may be working in scam centers in Myanmar, with another 100,000 potentially trapped in Cambodia. Scam operations in Cambodia escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many Chinese-owned casinos and hotels shifting to illicit activities.
These large-scale operations involve tens of thousands of workers conducting online romance scams, known as "pig-butchering," primarily targeting Western victims and resulting in the theft of billions annually.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime warned in April of the global expansion of the cyberscam industry, reaching regions such as South America, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and several Pacific Islands.
In October, the United States and United Kingdom announced sanctions against the Cambodia-based Prince Group network for operating scam centers in Cambodia, Myanmar, and the broader region.
Based on reporting by Al Jazeera.