China executes 11 core members of Myanmar-based telecoms fraud ring

A Chinese court has executed 11 people, including several citizens of Myanmar, linked to a notorious telecoms fraud group based in the Southeast Asian country for crimes including fraud, drug trafficking and murder.The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court in eastern Zhejiang province carried out the executions of people who formed the core leadership of the Ming family crime syndicate and associated telecoms fraud groups, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Thursday.According to China’s Supreme People’s Court, which reviewed and approved the death sentences, the gang operated extensively in Myanmar’s Kokang region, specifically in the Laukkai, Shiyuanzi and Chinshwehaw areas, starting in 2015.The court confirmed the syndicate had established multiple compounds, luring financial backers with promises of armed protection to run telecoms scams and illegal gambling operations involving over 10 billion yuan (US$1.4 billion).The gang systematically used lethal violence to control their operations, according to the court. They were convicted of intentionally killing, wounding and illegally detaining people in their scam compounds, resulting in the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens and injuries to many more.02:00Authorities uncover 3 village-sized meth labs in Myanmar’s jungleAuthorities uncover 3 village-sized meth labs in Myanmar’s jungleIn one incident in October 2023, gang members opened fire on captive Chinese nationals, killing four to prevent them from being repatriated to Chinese authorities, according to earlier CCTV reports.