China carries out further executions of Myanmar scam centre suspects | Crime News
In a significant crackdown on illegal activities, China has executed four individuals involved in a monumental scam operation that resulted in the deaths of six Chinese citizens and defrauded victims of approximately $4.2 billion. The verdict was announced by the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in early February 2026, although the specific timing of the executions remains undisclosed. This action was part of a larger campaign by Beijing targeting extensive scam networks proliferating across Southeast Asia, specifically in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos.
The four executed were sentenced to death for orchestrating a series of scams and gambling operations emanating from industrial parks established in Myanmar’s Kokang region, situated along the Chinese border. This network was reported to encompass various heinous activities, including kidnappings, extortion, forced prostitution, and drug trafficking. Previously, in November, the Shenzhen court had initially sentenced five members of this criminal organization to death, with one of the key figures, Bai Suocheng, having died from illness before the execution could take place.
The nature of these crimes was described by the court as “exceptionally heinous,” claiming they posed a significant threat to society. Following their sentencing, the defendants attempted to appeal, but the Guangdong Provincial High People’s Court rejected their pleas. Last week, an additional 11 people were also sentenced for similar offenses, indicating an intensified legal response to this escalating issue.
Chinese authorities are under increasing pressure from both domestic and international critics, including the United States, to combat the growth of these criminal enterprises that exploit individuals globally through digital scams. A troubling aspect of this phenomenon is the involvement of Chinese crime syndicates collaborating with armed groups in Myanmar. This partnership capitalizes on the country’s instability caused by ongoing conflicts, which has made it easier for such operations to thrive.
Myanmar’s military government has frequently been accused of ignoring these widespread scamming networks. However, following lobbying from China, it has initiated crackdowns, which many experts label as largely cosmetic. In a notable police operation in October, over 2,000 individuals were arrested during a raid on KK Park, a notorious scam centre along the Thai border. Nevertheless, several analysts suggest that these government raids are more about appeasing international pressure than genuinely dismantling the operations, as many of these scam centres contribute to the financial benefits that support military-affiliated militias.
The shift in Beijing’s approach, marked by these executions and intensified domestic enforcement, reflects the broader implications of organized crime that transcend borders, engaging victims worldwide. The interconnected nature of these operations, particularly in regions where governance is weak, underscores the need for sustained international cooperation to combat such transnational crimes effectively. The recent judicial measures may signal a more robust stance from China against these operations, yet the real challenge lies in dismantling the infrastructure supporting them in areas like Myanmar, where political and social turmoil complicates law enforcement efforts.
