China moves to boost cybercrime penalties by adding exit ban after sentences

China is drafting a new Cybercrime Prevention and Control Law to increase penalties for cybercriminals, including those operating outside its borders. The proposed law includes an exit ban of up to three years after a sentence is served for Chinese citizens convicted of cross-border online crimes. This measure aims to strengthen China's defenses against cybercrime and complements the existing Anti-Telecom and Online Fraud Law. The bill targets not only cybercrime itself but also activities that support it, such as providing payment platforms or recruiting individuals. It also seeks to curb the spread of fake news and information that violates public order. The draft bill is currently open for public comment.

China executed four individuals convicted of running scam and gambling operations in Myanmar, responsible for over $4 billion in fraud and the deaths of six Chinese citizens. The Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court announced the executions, which follow the execution of 11 others last week for similar crimes. The group operated from industrial parks in Myanmar's Kokang region, engaging in telecom scams, abductions, extortion, forced prostitution, and drug trafficking. These actions are part of a larger crackdown by Beijing on scam centers across Southeast Asia, particularly in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, where such operations have become widespread. The court stated the crimes were exceptionally heinous and posed a significant threat to society.