China executes three for running Myanmar scam network

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Oct, 19:08 · Archive

China has sentenced three people to death for operating scam centres in Myanmar's Kokang region.

A Chinese court sentenced three members of a criminal gang to death on Tuesday for operating a network of scam centres in Myanmar's Kokang region on the border with China. The Quanzhou Intermediate People's Court found Wei Huairen, Chen Dawei and Liao Jingfang guilty of crimes including murder, drug trafficking, organised prostitution, illegal casino operations and telecommunications fraud. Three other gang members received life sentences, whilst 55 others were handed prison terms ranging from three years and three months to 24 years.

The gang's operations generated more than $1.8 billion. According to China's state broadcaster CCTV, the syndicate operated 14 'large-scale' compounds and lured thousands of Chinese nationals to Myanmar through false promises of high wages. Wei Huairen was identified as one of the group's leaders. CBS News reported that police discovered remains of victims bound with iron chains and with bullet holes in their skulls.

The verdict reflects Beijing's intensified crackdown on cross-border scam networks operating in southeast Asia. The International Organization for Migration warned in July that scam centres in southeast Asia employ as many as 300,000 workers and use online schemes to defraud people, many of them elderly. Many conducting these scams are trafficked foreign nationals forced to work in prison-like compounds.

How it is being reported

• China sentences three people to death for running Myanmar scam centresDozens more were imprisoned for their involvement in telecommunications fraud, trafficking, prostitution and murder.Al Jazeera · 13 Oct, 18:41
• China sentences 3 people to death for running scam centersPolice discovered remains of victims bound with iron chains and with bullet holes in their skulls, state media said.CBS News · 13 Oct, 11:53

In this story: Wei Huairen · Chen Dawei · Liao Jingfang · Myanmar · China · Kokang · Quanzhou Intermediate People's Court · CCTV

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem