China sentences three people to death over Myanmar scam centres

A court in eastern China has sentenced three members of a criminal gang to death for operating a network of scam centres in Myanmar.

On 13 October, the Quanzhou Intermediate People's Court released a statement saying it had sentenced Wei Huairen, Chen Dawei, and Liao Jingfang to death for their involvement in the "Wei family criminal gang" operating 14 large-scale scam compounds in Myanmar's Kokang region.

The group was involved in crimes including drug trafficking, organised prostitution, illegal casino operations, telecommunications fraud and the murder of at least two Chinese nationals.

The court said the gang’s operations netted more than US$1.8 billion.

It is claimed that "large numbers" of Chinese nationals were lured to the scam compounds in Myanmar through fake promises such as high wages.

When they arrived, victims were bound with iron chains - some were sound with bullet holes in their skulls.

Three other gang members received life sentences, while 55 others were given prison terms ranging from three years and three months to 24 years.

Scam centres have become a large industry across Southeast Asia, with sites popping up quickly and new compounds being set up to replace any that are discovered - one centre was located inside a "ghost city" in Malaysia.

Survivors have reported brutal treatment inside the compounds, with torture, rape and debt bondage used as manipulation tactics.

China has stepped up cooperation with Southeast Asian nations to crack down on these networks, following earlier executions of members from the "Ming family criminal gang" in January and the Bai clan the following month.

Similarly, the UK has set up an agreement with Cambodia to assist law enforcement there in things like cyber investigation and digital forensics training - this comes after reports from Amnesty International that police in Cambodia have been seen to turn a blind eye to scam compounds and treat escapees as criminals.

Additional reporting from Ground News, Al Jazeera

Found us through a search engine? Click here to join our newsletter, or contact us and send your email and we will add you into our community. We do not share your information.  You will get free, weekly updates on the latest scams to protect you and your family.