Beijing | China’s top court has declared that two major Myanmar-based cyber fraud syndicates have been completely dismantled, announcing a strong legal crackdown on cross-border organized crime. According to the court, 16 people were sentenced to death in a major operation targeting the criminal networks linked to the Ming and Bai families, while 39 other accused received life imprisonment or harsher penalties.
The Supreme People’s Court (SPC) said the operation marks a significant breakthrough against organized crime groups believed to be active in northern Myanmar. The Ming and Bai groups were considered among four major criminal families operating in the region, running international telecom and online scam operations.
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The court spokesperson said the cross-border armed criminal groups have been almost entirely eliminated. The action sends a strong warning to criminals operating both inside and outside the country. Authorities believe such organized networks pose a serious threat to social safety and law and order.
Official data showed that by the end of 2025, Chinese courts had concluded more than 27,000 telecom fraud cases linked to northern Myanmar. Around 41,000 repatriated offenders involved in these cases were sentenced to various forms of punishment. Some of them were reportedly forced into criminal activities.
Reports also indicated that some individuals joined the scam operations voluntarily, while many foreign nationals were coerced into working through human trafficking networks. The criminal centres were allegedly involved not only in online and telecom fraud but also in violent crimes, including kidnapping, illegal detention and murder.
China has been running a long-term pressure campaign against scam hubs operating across Southeast Asia, particularly along the Myanmar-Cambodia border regions. Beijing has stressed diplomatic and law-enforcement cooperation to eliminate fraud compounds in the area. Chinese authorities say cross-border organized cybercrime has become a shared global security challenge.
However, China’s top court also warned that telecom and online fraud has not been completely eliminated. Officials said such crimes remain at persistently high levels and are becoming more sophisticated and transnational in nature. The court added that criminal activities are increasingly turning into a global public security concern.
Experts believe that growing digital and cybercrime threats require stronger international cooperation. In some cases, these networks have also been linked to forced labour, human trafficking and other organized criminal activities, creating serious social and humanitarian risks.
The court stated that the purpose of the crackdown is not only to punish offenders but also to weaken the financial and operational structure of organized cyber fraud networks. Authorities indicated that surveillance and enforcement against such international crime syndicates will continue in the future.
Meanwhile, Chinese law enforcement agencies are investigating other suspected cross-border cybercrime networks. The government has also urged international partners to adopt joint strategies to combat online fraud and human trafficking.
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.
