China has executed 11 people linked to large-scale telecom and internet scam operations based in Myanmar, as the government steps up its fight against cross-border fraud networks.
According to China’s state media, the executions were carried out on Thursday after the suspects were convicted of serious crimes connected to scam compounds operating in Myanmar’s border regions.
These compounds have been used to run phone and online scams that trick victims into fake romantic relationships, investment schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud.
The scam networks initially targeted Chinese-speaking victims but later expanded to operate in many languages, stealing money from people around the world. Authorities say the industry has caused massive financial losses globally and has also involved serious human rights abuses.
The 11 individuals were sentenced to death in September by a court in Wenzhou, eastern China. Their sentences were later approved by the Supreme People’s Court, which said the evidence against them—covering crimes committed since 2015—was clear and sufficient.
State news agency Xinhua reported that the crimes included fraud, unlawful detention, intentional injury, intentional homicide, and running illegal casinos. Some of the executed were described as key members of the notorious “Ming family criminal group,” whose activities reportedly led to the deaths of at least 14 Chinese citizens and injuries to many others.
Chinese authorities say many scam centres in Myanmar are run by Chinese-led criminal syndicates working with local militias. In some cases, scammers are willing participants, while in others, foreign nationals are trafficked and forced to work under harsh conditions.
Beijing has increased cooperation with Myanmar and other regional governments to dismantle these operations. Thousands of suspects have been arrested and repatriated to China to face trial in recent years.
Speaking after the executions, China’s foreign ministry said the country will continue to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation to fight what it described as the “cancer” of online gambling and fraud.
In addition to the 11 executions, five other suspects received death sentences with a two-year reprieve, while 23 others were jailed for terms ranging from five years to life imprisonment.
The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime has warned that cyber-scam operations are spreading beyond Southeast Asia to regions including Africa, South America, the Middle East, Europe, and the Pacific. The UN estimates that hundreds of thousands of people worldwide are involved in scam centres, either voluntarily or under coercion.
China’s latest move signals a tough stance as it seeks to dismantle the powerful networks behind one of the world’s fastest-growing forms of organized crime.
