China has executed four more leaders of major Myanmar-based telecom fraud syndicates, bringing the total to 15 in under a week as Beijing intensifies its crackdown.
BEIJING: China has executed four leading members of Myanmar-based telecom fraud syndicates.
The Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court announced the executions on Monday.
This marks the second such announcement in less than a week.
Beijing is ramping up a crackdown on cross-border telecom fraud.
The four were linked to the “Bai family criminal group”.
They ran fraud compounds in northern Myanmar’s Kokang region.
Their crimes included “fraud, intentional homicide, intentional injury, kidnapping, extortion… (and) forced prostitution”.
One member, Bai Yingcang, also colluded to sell and manufacture about 11 tonnes of methamphetamine.
The court said the group’s actions led to the deaths of six Chinese citizens.
Many others were injured.
The four were sentenced to death in November.
A fifth person sentenced to death, alleged ringleader Bai Suocheng, “died of illness” following the November verdict.
The announcement comes days after a court in Wenzhou executed 11 people linked to the “Ming family criminal group”.
Fraud compounds have flourished across Southeast Asia, including in Cambodia and Myanmar.
They lure victims into fake romantic relationships and cryptocurrency investments.
Initially targeting Chinese speakers, the criminal groups have expanded to steal billions globally.
They used thousands of foreign workers, some willingly and some trafficked, to carry out the scams.
Beijing has stepped up cooperation with regional governments in recent years.
Thousands of people have been repatriated to face trial in China’s justice system.
