China Executes 11 Members of Myanmar Scam Mafia
China has executed 11 members of the infamous Ming mafia family, known for operating scam centers in Myanmar along the northeastern border. Recent reports from state media highlight the severity of the crimes committed by this notorious family.
Sentencing and Crimes of the Ming Family
– In September 2025, the Ming family faced sentencing for a range of serious charges, including:
– Homicide
– Illegal detention
– Fraud
– Operating gambling dens
– The Ming family was pivotal in transforming Laukkaing, a once-impoverished town, into a bustling center for casinos and red-light districts.
– The downfall of their scam empire began in 2023, following their detainment and extradition to China by ethnic militias amid escalating conflicts with Myanmar’s military.
The Implications of the Executions
With these executions, Beijing aims to deter potential scammers. However, operations continue to thrive across Myanmar’s border with Thailand and in Cambodia and Laos, regions where China’s influence is limited. The United Nations estimates that hundreds of thousands of individuals, including thousands of Chinese nationals, have been trafficked to run online scams, swindling billions from their fellow citizens.
Due to the Myanmar military’s reluctance to combat these operations, believed to be profiting from them, Beijing has discreetly supported an offensive by an ethnic insurgent alliance in Shan State, which captured significant territory, including Laukkaing, in late 2023.
The Rise and Fall of the Ming Family
The Ming family members executed are the first among Myanmar’s scam bosses to face such a severe punishment. However, they are unlikely to be the last. Notably, five members of the Bai family were sentenced to death in November, and additional trials for two other families, the Wei and the Liu, are still ongoing.
– The trial of the Ming family was conducted in secrecy, yet over 160 people, including victims’ families, attended the sentencing.
– The Ming mafia’s operations reportedly generated over 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.4 billion) from 2015 to 2023, as confirmed by China’s highest court, which rejected their appeals in November.
– Their illicit activities led to the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens and countless injuries.
The patriarch of the Ming family, Ming Xuechang, tragically took his own life in 2023 while attempting to evade capture. Documentaries aired by state media have showcased confessions from the arrested individuals, underscoring the Chinese government’s determination to dismantle scam networks.
The Emergence of the Ming Mafia
The Ming family, akin to powerful organized crime families, gained prominence in Laukkaing during the early 2000s following the ousting of the town’s warlord in a military operation led by Min Aung Hlaing, who later became the leader of Myanmar’s military government after a coup in 2021. Ming Xuechang presided over one of Laukkaing’s most notorious scam centers, the Crouching Tiger Villa.
Initially, these crime families relied on gambling and prostitution for income. However, they gradually shifted to online fraud, predominantly employing individuals who were kidnapped and coerced into participating in these scams. Testimonies from survivors reveal a culture of violence within their fortified compounds, where beatings and torture were commonplace.
Conclusion: The Future of Scam Operations
As China executes members of the Ming family, it sends a powerful message regarding its stance against organized crime and online scams. The overarching operations, however, persist and thrive in regions beyond Chinese control. This ongoing battle against cybercrime involves not only the crackdown on local mafias but also addressing the root causes of human trafficking and exploitation within Southeast Asia.