China Sentences Myanmar Scam Kingpins to Death
A Chinese court handed death sentences to five members of a Myanmar crime syndicate responsible for operating large-scale scamming operations near the border with China. The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court of Guangdong Province announced the verdicts on Tuesday.
Sentences and Key Figures
- Five syndicate leaders received death sentences: Bai Suocheng, his son Bai Yingcang, Yang Liqiang, Hu Xiaojiang, and Chen Guangyi.
- Two other members were given two-year suspended death sentences, meaning execution could follow if further crimes occur.
- Five others received life sentences, and nine were sentenced to prison terms ranging from three to 20 years.
Background on the Syndicate
Bai Suocheng and Bai Yingcang previously led the Kokang Border Guard Force, a militia aligned with Myanmar’s military junta, known for profiting from illegal activities. Their scamming operations targeted Chinese citizens, prompting Beijing to launch a cross-border crackdown in 2023.
Crackdown Details
The crackdown arrested tens of thousands of people, including leaders of crime families in the Kokang region. Notably, eleven Ming crime family members were sentenced to death in September for managing a widespread scamming network.
"Upset that the scamming operations were targeting Chinese citizens, Beijing launched a cross-border crackdown in 2023, arresting tens of thousands of people, including leaders of crime families in the Kokang region."
Author’s summary: China has imposed severe sentences, including death penalties, on Myanmar crime syndicate leaders to curb large-scale scams targeting its citizens near the border.