In a decisive action against organized crime, China has executed 11 members of the Ming mafia family, notorious for their operations in Myanmar, as reported by state media. The execution reflects Beijing's commitment to combat cross-border scams that have ensnared numerous victims.
The Ming family was sentenced to death in September for a litany of serious charges, including homicide and illegal detention, following a court ruling in Zhejiang province. Their criminal operations transformed Laukkaing from a struggling town into a bustling hub for casinos and red-light districts.
The downfall of the Ming mafia began in 2023 when they were detained and handed over to China by ethnic militias who had taken control of Laukkaing amid escalating regional conflicts. China's actions aimed to send a strong deterrent message to potential scammers and restore order to its borders.
Tragically, their criminal empire, which had reportedly earned them over 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.4 billion) from 2015 to 2023, has resulted in the deaths and suffering of many, particularly among Chinese citizens who are often the targets of these scams.
This execution is just one part of a broader crackdown, as more mafias are being targeted following the Ming family's sentencing, with five members of the Bai family also sentenced to death recently.
As China takes these strong measures, the scam operations have begun to migrate to neighboring regions, including Myanmar's borders with Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos, where Chinese influence is notably less pervasive. Despite these challenges, the crackdown signifies a pivotal shift in China's approach to protecting its citizens from the burgeoning scam networks that bear devastating consequences.
