China cracks down on cross-border scam empire
In one of the biggest crackdowns yet, a court in China has sentenced 11 people to death for their alleged roles in a family-run scam syndicate operating out of Myanmar.
The group, accused of running online fraud and illegal gambling worth more than $1.4 billion, has also been linked to multiple killings, including workers who tried to escape.
Ming family syndicate at the centre
The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court announced the ruling on Monday, targeting members of the powerful Ming family in Kokang, a region of Myanmar known for lawless border operations.
- 11 received death sentences
- 5 got suspended death sentences (often converted to life imprisonment)
- 12 others were jailed for terms ranging between five and 24 years
The court accused the group of using armed force to build scam compounds and of killing at least 14 people. In one incident in October 2023, the syndicate allegedly opened fire inside a fraud compound to stop workers from being repatriated to China.
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A global cyber scam industry
These scam centres are part of a booming criminal industry across Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, where trafficked workers are forced into romance scams and fake investment frauds.
The UN Office on Drugs and Crime estimates the global cyber scam industry to be worth over $40 billion annually.
In February this year, China, Myanmar, and Thailand launched joint operations along the border, rescuing over 7,000 workers—most of them Chinese citizens.
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Why this matters
China has been under pressure to curb cross-border scams that target not only its citizens but also victims worldwide. This high-profile sentencing sends a strong signal, showing Beijing’s intent to dismantle powerful networks that profit from human trafficking, online fraud, and violence.
