In a significant crackdown, China executed 16 individuals from the same family in a single day, following their involvement in a large-scale fraud operation based in Myanmar. The Chinese court’s decision targeted members of the Ming family, who were at the center of a network that ran fraudulent schemes targeting individuals across the region. Many of the family members faced severe penalties, including lengthy prison sentences, reflecting the severity of the crimes committed.
The Ming family was one of several groups that had exploited the town of Laukkaing, located near the Chinese border in Myanmar, transforming it into a hub for illicit activities. These activities included gambling, drug trafficking, and various forms of online fraud, drawing the attention of both Chinese and Myanmar authorities.
Myanmar’s actions in 2023 led to the arrest and handover of numerous family members to China, prompting a swift legal response. The court proceedings in Wenzhou, China, culminated in the sentencing of 39 individuals connected to the Ming family. Among the sentences, 11 individuals were sentenced to death, five received suspended death sentences, 11 were given life imprisonment, and the remaining members received sentences ranging from five to 24 years.
The court’s investigations revealed that the Ming family, along with associated criminal groups, had engaged in a range of illegal activities. These included telecommunications fraud, the operation of illegal casinos, drug trafficking, and prostitution, which generated billions of yuan in profits. The scale of their operations, involving extensive gambling and fraudulent schemes, resulted in substantial financial gains.
Beyond the financial crimes, the court also found the Ming family responsible for the deaths of workers in the fraud centers. These laborers, often subjected to harsh conditions, were sometimes killed to prevent them from returning to China. The initial motivation for the establishment of the operations stemmed from the high demand for gambling from Chinese citizens, given the illegality of gambling in China and neighboring countries. However, over time, the casinos in Laukkaing became a cover for more extensive criminal activities.
These fraud centers have been described by the United Nations as part of the “Scamdemic,” where over 100,000 foreign citizens, predominantly Chinese, were held and forced to participate in online scams. The Ming family, once a powerful force in Myanmar’s Shan State, controlled numerous fraud centers in Laukkaing, including the notorious “Crouching Tiger Villa,” where laborers suffered from abuse.
Recent changes in the political landscape, including an offensive by rebel groups, led to the displacement of the Myanmar army from Laukkaing, potentially with support from China. The leader of the Ming family reportedly took his own life, while other members faced legal consequences. As the crackdown continues, thousands of workers have been handed over to Chinese police. In response to the criminal activities, Thailand has also taken action against similar fraud operations.
China’s actions highlight its commitment to combatting cross-border criminal activities. Despite the efforts, the fraudulent operations have adapted, shifting their focus to locations such as Cambodia while continuing to operate in Myanmar.