China Executes 11 from Billion-Dollar Myanmar Crime Syndicate
Chinese authorities have executed 11 members of the Ming family, a criminal syndicate notorious for their involvement in large-scale internet scams in Myanmar. This decision was reported by Chinese state media on Thursday.
Details of the Executions
The Ming family was infamous for running multiple compounds linked to organized crime in northern Myanmar. They engaged in various illegal activities, including homicide and human trafficking. The 11 executed had been convicted in September 2023.
- Crimes included homicide, illegal detention, and fraud.
- Two members filed appeals, but the Supreme People’s Court upheld the death sentences.
Background of the Crime Syndicate
Headquartered in an area called Crouching Tiger Villa in Kokang, the Ming family was one of the “four families” in Myanmar’s criminal underworld. At their peak, they employed around 10,000 individuals to orchestrate various scams.
Many of these scams exploited trafficked workers, who were forced into fraudulent online activities. Local authorities had turned a blind eye, enabling the syndicate to operate effectively.
Impact and International Response
Following international scrutiny, China intensified its crackdown on these criminal activities in 2023. In November, Beijing issued arrest warrants for members of the Ming family, offering rewards between $14,000 and $70,000 for information leading to their capture.
- Ming Xuechang, the family leader, reportedly took his own life in custody.
- Among those executed were Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen, who held significant positions in the Kokang militia.
Violence and Deaths Linked to the Syndicate
The criminal family was involved in multiple violent incidents, including one in October 2023, where four individuals were killed during a shooting at a scam site. The group was attempting to transfer workers amid an expected police raid.
In total, 14 Chinese citizens lost their lives due to the syndicate’s illegal activities. A collaboration with another crime leader, Wu Hongming, further exacerbated the violence against scam workers.
The Broader Context
Scams in Southeast Asia cost victims over $43 billion annually, according to the United States Institute of Peace. Myanmar has been particularly vulnerable due to longstanding issues with lawlessness and corruption.
These criminal activities have grown amid a civil war that has lasted nearly five years, allowing syndicates to thrive in the chaos. When asked about the recent executions, a spokesperson for China’s foreign ministry emphasized that Beijing would continue its efforts to combat gambling and fraud.
