China sentences three people to death for running Myanmar scam centres

What the report says

A court in eastern China has sentenced three members of a criminal network to death for running scam centres in Myanmar, according to Al Jazeera’s report on a Tuesday ruling from Quanzhou Intermediate People’s Court in Fujian province. The defendants were identified as Wei Huairen, Chen Dawei and Liao Jingfang, all linked by the court to the so-called Wei family criminal gang.

The court said the group was involved in a wide range of crimes, including telecommunications fraud, illegal casino operations, drug trafficking, organised prostitution and the murder of at least two Chinese nationals. It also said the network had generated more than $1.8bn. In addition to the three death sentences, three other gang members received life terms and 55 more were given prison sentences ranging from three years and three months to 24 years.

Al Jazeera reported that China has been stepping up pressure on cross-border scam operations in southeast Asia, where large compounds have become hubs for online fraud and trafficking. CCTV, China’s state broadcaster, said the gang operated 14 large compounds and lured thousands of Chinese nationals with promises of well-paid jobs in Myanmar.

The case matters because it highlights how scam centres in the region have become tied to trafficking and forced labour concerns. The International Organization for Migration has previously warned that such sites can involve large numbers of workers and victims drawn into criminal schemes, though the latest ruling focused on the Chinese gang’s alleged role in the network.