China Executes 11 Members of Infamous Ming Family Behind Myanmar Scam Operations

In a decisive move, China has executed 11 affiliates of the Ming family, notorious figures in orchestrating vast scam operations and illegal gambling networks in Myanmar. The Zhejiang provincial court handed down sentences in September for serious crimes including murder, illegal detention, and fraud.

Operating primarily from Laukkaing, a border town in Myanmar adjacent to China, the Ming family's grip transformed the once quiet area into a bustling hub filled with casinos and brothels. Their operations ensnared thousands of Chinese workers, who were trafficked to these sites and coerced into perpetrating scams on unsuspecting victims abroad.

The family’s empire crumbled in 2023 as ethnic militias seized Laukkaing amid Myanmar's ongoing civil unrest, detaining the Ming members and later surrendering them to Chinese authorities. Disturbing narratives emerged, including that of a minor actor duped into these scam enterprises, igniting a wave of indignation across China and compelling Myanmar’s military to take action against such operations.

According to the Supreme Court of China, the Ming family's illicit activities amassed over 10 billion yuan (approximately $1.4 billion) between 2015 and 2023, resulting in the deaths of 14 Chinese nationals and numerous injuries. The court upheld all appeals and executed the members to eradicate their dangerous scam network.