Cynthia Ezegwu
A Chinese court on Monday sentenced 16 members of a family-run criminal gang to death over their role in running scam centres in Myanmar’s Kokang region and other serious crimes.
The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court said the group had engaged in cyber fraud, drug trafficking, prostitution, casino operations, and violent crimes since 2015. The syndicate was accused of killing 14 people, including 10 individuals involved in fraud who attempted to escape or defied the gang’s orders.
In one case cited by the court, members of the group reportedly opened fire in October 2023 at a scam compound to prevent victims from being transferred back to China.
Authorities said the gang generated more than 10 billion yuan (about $1.4 billion) through its illicit activities.
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Of the 16 sentenced to death, five received a two-year reprieve, which typically allows for commutation to life imprisonment. Another 23 suspects were handed prison terms ranging from five years to life.
The ruling comes amid Beijing’s intensified crackdown on scam compounds in Myanmar’s border areas, which have become hubs for online fraud targeting Chinese citizens. Thousands of trafficked individuals have been repatriated to China as part of joint enforcement operations with Southeast Asian nations.