In one of its harshest crackdowns on transnational crime, a Chinese court has sentenced 11 individuals tied to the powerful Ming family syndicate to death for their roles in large-scale scam, gambling, fraud, and violent enforcement operations. The sentences follow a sweeping investigation of a crime network based in Myanmar’s Kokang region.
What the Court Found
According to the Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court in Zhejiang province:
- The syndicate operated “scam compounds” across Myanmar, targeting Chinese nationals with telecom fraud, illegal gambling, money laundering, and coercive labor practices.
- The court held that 14 workers were killed—including those who attempted to escape or resisted commands. In one case, guards allegedly opened fire to prevent escapees from being returned to China.
- Among the defendants sentenced to death were prominent clan members such as Ming Guoping, Ming Zhenzhen, and Zhou Weichang.
- In addition to the 11 death sentences, five others were sentenced to suspended death sentences (often commuted to life imprisonment) and 12 more were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 5 to 24 years.
State media says the total illicit revenue associated with the syndicate exceeded ¥10 billion (USD ≈ 1.4 billion).
Context: China’s Campaign Against Cross-border Scam Networks
This sentencing is part of an intensified crackdown by China on fraud networks operating abroad—particularly in border regions of Southeast Asia. In recent years, numerous “scam gardens” (compounds where employees are forced into online fraud) have been exposed in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.
In 2023, Chinese authorities issued arrest warrants for several Ming family members on charges including fraud, murder, illegal detention, and cross-border criminal conduct.
Cooperation between China, Myanmar and Thailand has led to the release of thousands of trafficked workers and the dismantling of some syndicate operations.
Legal & Human Rights Observations
- Finality & appeals: In China’s judicial system, high-profile death sentences may be subject to appeal, but reversal rates in politically sensitive cases are typically low.
- Suspended death sentences: The five defendants receiving suspended capital sentences may see those converted to life imprisonment if they remain compliant during a specified term.
- Criticism from rights groups: Observers warn that such trials may lack transparency, due process guarantees, or fair access to independent legal counsel—especially in cases alleging cross-border crime and national security implications.
- Message from Beijing: The sentences are also symbolic—intended to send a strong warning to organized crime groups that exploit border zones and digital networks.
