China Sentences Five to Death for Myanmar Fraud Gang Operations

Five Receive Death Penalty for Cross-Border Crimes

A Chinese court has sentenced five individuals to death for their involvement in a violent criminal gang that operated extensive fraud schemes in Myanmar's Kokang region. The sentencing, announced on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, by the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court in Guangdong Province, marks a significant step in China's ongoing crackdown on cross-border criminal enterprises.

Among those condemned to death are Bai Suocheng, a former Kokang leader and lawmaker, and his son, Bai Yingcang. The other three individuals sentenced to death were identified as Yang Liqiang, Hu Xiaojiang, and Chen Guangyi. Their crimes were found to have resulted in the deaths of six Chinese nationals, the suicide of one Chinese national, and injuries to several others.

Extensive Fraud and Criminal Activities Uncovered

The criminal gang's operations were vast and multifaceted, primarily centered in 41 compounds built within the Kokang region of Myanmar. The court found the defendants guilty of a range of offenses, including:

• Telecom fraud
• Operating gambling dens
• Intentional homicide
• Organizing and coercing prostitution
• Organizing others to illegally cross national borders

One of the defendants also faced charges related to the trafficking and manufacturing of approximately 11 tonnes of methamphetamine. The total funds involved in the gang's gambling and fraud activities exceeded 29 billion yuan (approximately US$4.06 billion).

Broader Crackdown on Myanmar-Based Scams

This sentencing is part of a larger effort by Beijing to dismantle sophisticated online scam centers flourishing in Myanmar's lawless borderlands. These centers often employ foreigners, many of whom are Chinese nationals, who report being trafficked and forced into online swindling. China has intensified cooperation with Southeast Asian nations in recent months, leading to the repatriation of thousands of individuals involved in these illicit operations.

The crackdown has specifically targeted powerful criminal syndicates, often referred to as the 'four families' (Bai, Wei, Liu, and Ming), which have historically exerted significant influence in the Kokang region. In addition to the five death sentences, the Shenzhen court also issued death sentences with two-year reprieves to two other defendants, a verdict that frequently results in life imprisonment. Five individuals received life imprisonment, while nine others were handed sentences ranging from three to 20 years, along with additional penalties such as fines, property confiscation, and deportation.