This is the first case of a death sentence being carried out in China related to the activities of scam centers in Myanmar. The court in the city of Wenzhou, located in Zhejiang province, issued its ruling in September 2025. The detainees, who were members of the "Min" syndicate, were arrested in November 2023 in Myanmar, near the border with China, according to BBC information.
The court found them guilty of crimes including intentional murder, causing serious bodily harm, illegal deprivation of liberty, fraud, and organizing illegal gambling. The activities of this criminal group led to the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens.
Despite filing an appeal, in November 2025, the Supreme People's Court of Zhejiang province upheld the sentence and referred the case for further review to the Supreme People's Court of China, which also confirmed the legality of the decision and authorized its execution.
According to data from the Supreme People's Court, since 2015, members of this group have organized several bases in Myanmar where they carried out telecommunications fraud and illegal gambling. The total amount of funds involved in these criminal schemes exceeded 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.4 billion). Murders, beatings, and illegal detention of people were also part of their methods.
The execution of the sentences took place after receiving approval from the Supreme People's Court.
Earlier this month, five members of another syndicate, "Bai," were also sentenced to death, and trials against two more groups, "Wei" and "Liu," are ongoing.
Scam centers are actively operating in northern Myanmar, where people are deceived under the pretext of employment, then held against their will, stripped of their documents, and forced to participate in fraudulent schemes. Victims are subjected to violence and torture for any disobedience.
