Beijing carried out a rare wave of executions this month, putting to death 16 senior members of crime syndicates operating out of Myanmar, in what officials described as a decisive escalation in China’s campaign against cross-border cyber scams, illegal gambling and human trafficking.
The condemned included leaders of family-run syndicates accused of running massive scam centres in Myanmar’s border regions, trapping thousands of Chinese nationals in forced labour and online fraud operations. Several of the executed individuals were Myanmar citizens, underscoring Beijing’s growing ability to bring foreign suspects to justice when crimes target Chinese citizens.
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Among those executed was Bai Yingcang, a core figure in the notorious Bai family network, which prosecutors said was behind large-scale telecom fraud and illegal gambling activities in Kokang, near the China-Myanmar border. Authorities said the group’s operations were linked to the deaths of six Chinese citizens.
In a televised confession aired by state broadcaster CCTV, Bai apologised to the Chinese public, admitting his family’s actions had harmed tens of thousands of people.
Other executed figures reportedly included Ming Guoping, the deputy leader of the Ming family syndicate, and crime boss Xu Laofa of the Xu family. Members of a fourth network, the Wei syndicate, have also been prosecuted, though sentencing in those cases is still pending.
Before Myanmar’s military coup in 2021, the country had effectively halted executions. Since then, the junta has sentenced more than 160 people to death, largely political dissidents and pro-democracy activists, according to rights groups. However, there have been no confirmed domestic executions of organised crime leaders, highlighting the unusual nature of Myanmar handing suspects over to China.
Under Chinese law, Beijing can prosecute severe crimes committed abroad by foreign nationals if Chinese citizens are targeted. Though the statute has existed since 1979, it gained prominence after the 2011 Mekong River massacre, when 13 Chinese crew members were murdered. Myanmar national Naw Kham was later extradited to China and executed in 2013.
Analysts say the latest extraditions reflect China’s expanding influence in Southeast Asia.
Lin Minwang, an international relations scholar at Fudan University, said the executions were partly a “display of strength”, noting that regional governments often have limited room to resist Beijing’s pressure.
“Myanmar’s military government is under heavy domestic and international strain and relies significantly on China’s support,” Lin said. “China’s determination to crack down has become very clear, and that comes as a shock to smaller neighbouring countries.”
Public anger in China has intensified over the past decade as thousands of citizens have fallen victim to cybercrime rings across the region, frequently lured abroad with promises of high-paying jobs before being detained in scam compounds.
Chinese Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong has repeatedly described telecom fraud as a “global scourge”, calling for sustained international cooperation. During a visit to Myanmar in 2023, then foreign minister Qin Gang warned that scam networks entrenched along the border were severely harming Chinese citizens and demanded firm action.
Following the executions, China’s foreign ministry said the cases marked “significant progress” in efforts to dismantle online fraud operations and strengthen cross-border law enforcement.
Legal experts view the crackdown as a clear signal of Beijing’s regional leverage. Wang Jiangyu, a professor of international law at City University of Hong Kong, said the apprehension of key figures from four major crime families demonstrated China’s diplomatic influence.
“The local authorities did not cooperate willingly — they acted under pressure,” Wang said.
China has also intensified efforts in neighbouring Cambodia, another hub for scam networks. In January, Phnom Penh revoked the citizenship of crime boss Chen Zhi and handed him over to Chinese authorities. Chen is also wanted by the United States and Britain, with US prosecutors reportedly seizing billions in crypto assets linked to his operations.
Observers say Beijing’s latest actions underscore a shift in priorities, with domestic security concerns now outweighing traditional diplomatic sensitivities as China moves aggressively to protect its citizens overseas.
Further prosecutions linked to regional scam syndicates are expected in the coming months.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
