**China Sentences 11 Mafias to Death Over Myanmar Scam Operations**
*By Snehil Singh | Sep 30, 2025 | 03:57 PM*
A Chinese court has sentenced 11 members of the notorious Ming family to death for their involvement in a Myanmar-based crime syndicate. The family-run syndicate was accused of orchestrating online scams and illegal gambling operations worth over $1.4 billion.
The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court announced the verdicts on Monday. Those sentenced to death include Ming Guoping, Ming Zhenzhen, and Zhou Weichang, among others.
### Legal Proceedings
In addition to the 11 death sentences, five other defendants received death sentences suspended for two years, which are usually commuted to life imprisonment. Another twelve individuals were sentenced to prison terms ranging from five to 24 years.
The syndicate’s operations reportedly led to the deaths of 14 people, including 10 individuals involved in fraud who either tried to escape or disobeyed the syndicate’s management.
In November 2023, Chinese authorities issued arrest warrants for four members of the Ming family on suspicions of fraud, murder, and illegal detention.
### Uncovering the Syndicate’s Operations
A report by *The Guardian* cited court statements revealing that the syndicate had “financial backers” whom it protected with armed force. The court detailed how the group relied on armed force to establish multiple compounds in Kokang, a region in Myanmar bordering China.
One notable incident occurred in October 2023 when the accused allegedly opened fire on people at a scam compound to stop them from being transferred back to China.
### Industry Impact and Regional Crackdown
China has been actively collaborating with neighboring countries to combat these scam operations. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, scam centers in Myanmar, Laos, and Cambodia contribute to a global cybercrime industry valued at approximately $40 billion annually.
Many trafficked workers are coerced into conducting romance-based investment scams. The UN warns that Chinese and Southeast Asian gangs profit tens of billions each year through cyber scam centers.
In February, joint efforts between China, Myanmar, and Thailand led to the rescue of over 7,000 workers from scam centers along the Thai-Myanmar border, highlighting the growing regional commitment to eradicating this dangerous criminal network.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/world/china-sentences-11-to-death-for-family-run-myanmar-scam-operations/story