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China Sentences 11 to Death for Billion-Dollar Scam Operations

A court in China has handed down death sentences to 11 individuals linked to an extensive criminal organization operating from Myanmar. The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court, located in Zhejiang Province, announced the verdict on Monday, underscoring the severity of the crimes associated with the Ming crime family. This group is notorious for running a billion-dollar empire based on online scams and gambling operations, which have reportedly led to the deaths of workers attempting to escape.

The Ming crime family, led by Ming Xuechang, is part of a network of crime syndicates known as the “four families” of northern Myanmar. These groups are accused of orchestrating a range of illicit activities, including internet fraud, human trafficking, and drug production. The Ming family has established significant influence in the Kokang region, utilizing its connections to local government and militia forces aligned with Myanmar’s ruling junta.

At the height of their operations, the Ming family employed approximately 10,000 people to engage in various criminal activities, as reported by Chinese state broadcaster CCTV. The capital of Kokang, Laukkaing, became a central hub for scams, where trafficked individuals were exploited in sophisticated online schemes. The vast revenues generated from these illegal enterprises transformed Laukkaing into a flourishing casino city, despite the region’s overall poverty.

Chinese authorities initiated a crackdown on the Ming family and their operations in 2023, responding to increased pressure from families of trafficked victims and growing international media scrutiny. In November of that year, China issued arrest warrants for members of the Ming family, accusing them of serious crimes such as fraud, murder, and trafficking. The authorities offered substantial rewards for information leading to their capture, ranging from $14,000 to $70,000.

Tragically, Ming Xuechang reportedly took his own life while in custody. Other key family members, including his son Ming Guoping, who led the Kokang Border Guard Force, and his daughter Ming Julan, were also arrested. It is estimated that the syndicate’s operations directly contributed to the deaths of at least 10 individuals who defied the group or attempted to flee.

One particularly violent incident occurred in October 2023 when armed members of the Ming family allegedly killed four people at a scam compound. This incident took place as they were reportedly moving workers under guard, fearing a police raid. The court’s statement highlighted that the Ming family’s influence allowed them to recruit financial backers and armed protection to expand their network of telecommunications fraud and other illegal ventures.

The scale of the problem is staggering, with the United States Institute of Peace estimating that crime syndicates in Southeast Asia generate losses exceeding $43 billion annually due to scams. In Myanmar, pervasive corruption and lawlessness have provided a shield for these operations, which have thrived amid the ongoing civil war that has gripped the country for four years.

The recent crackdown by Chinese authorities was catalyzed by a coordinated offensive from rebel groups against the Myanmar military in October 2023. This offensive included a focus on dismantling large-scale scam operations, which analysts suggest received tacit approval from Beijing. Following this unrest, the military and its allies were expelled from Laukkaing.

Chinese officials have reported that over 53,000 Chinese nationals, including victims of human trafficking, have been repatriated from scam compounds in northern Myanmar. Authorities in both China and Thailand have increased pressure to address the growing issue of cyber fraud prevalent in the region. Despite these efforts, experts warn that the cyber fraud industry continues to expand, with syndicates utilizing cryptocurrency and advanced technology, including artificial intelligence, to enhance their operations and evade capture.

As the situation evolves, the implications of these criminal activities remain significant, affecting both local communities in Myanmar and the broader security concerns for China. The ongoing crackdown and subsequent legal actions against the Ming crime family highlight the complexities involved in combatting transnational crime in a region fraught with instability.

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