China has executed four senior members of Myanmar-based scam syndicates, a Chinese court announced on Monday, marking the second such execution report in less than a week as Beijing intensifies its crackdown on cross-border telecom fraud.
The executions were announced by the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court, which said the four belonged to the “Bai family criminal group.”
Their convictions covered multiple offences, including fraud, intentional homicide, intentional injury, kidnapping, extortion, and forced prostitution.
The development comes shortly after a court in Wenzhou reported executing 11 people linked to telecom scam operations under the “Ming family criminal group.”
Scam compounds across Southeast Asia
Telecom fraud networks operating from so-called scam compounds have expanded rapidly across parts of Southeast Asia, particularly in Cambodia and Myanmar’s unstable border regions.
These groups often lure victims into fake romantic relationships or fraudulent cryptocurrency investments, stealing billions globally.
Many of the scam operations rely on thousands of workers, including people who were reportedly trafficked or coerced into participating.
Court details
According to the court, one of those executed, Bai Yingcang, allegedly worked with others to sell and manufacture about 11 tonnes of methamphetamine.
The court said the group ran fraud parks in northern Myanmar’s Kokang region, where their activities allegedly resulted in the deaths of six Chinese citizens and injuries to many others.
The four were sentenced to death in November.
A fifth individual sentenced to death, Bai Suocheng, described as the alleged ringleader, reportedly died of illness after the verdict.
China vows stronger action
China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing has been actively cooperating with Myanmar and other countries to tackle telecom fraud, claiming the efforts have produced “significant results” in protecting lives and property.
He added that China would continue to intensify efforts to combat the syndicates.
