Chinese authorities have executed eleven members of a notorious mafia family who masterminded a vast international cryptocurrency scam operation, preying on victims through fake online romances. The Ming family, based in Myanmar, swindled billions from individuals worldwide, with their criminal enterprise leading to multiple deaths.
Global Fraud Network Uncovered
The Ming family's illicit activities, which began in 2015, generated over £1,000,000,000 annually through sophisticated fraud schemes. Operating from scam centres in Laukkaing, a Myanmar town near the Chinese border, they primarily targeted Chinese-speaking internet users, luring them into fabricated romantic relationships before convincing them to invest in fraudulent cryptocurrency opportunities.
Violent Criminal Empire
Their operations extended far beyond financial fraud. The family faced charges including homicide, illegal gambling, and kidnapping, with courts hearing disturbing accounts of beatings and torture within their compounds. Six Chinese nationals died as a direct result of their schemes, while workers attempting to escape were reportedly shot to prevent their return to China.
The family's patriarch, Ming Xuechang, committed suicide before facing justice alongside his relatives. Their criminal network collapsed in 2023 when Myanmar authorities arrested the family and extradited them to China for prosecution.
Border Town Turned Crime Hub
Laukkaing, controlled by four criminal clans including the Ming family, transformed from a quiet border town into a centre for transnational crime. The area hosted:
- Telecommunication fraud operations
- Illegal casinos exploiting China's gambling demand
- Drug trafficking networks
- Money laundering fronts
- Dozens of scam centres
Local police forces essentially served as private militias enforcing the family's rule, illustrating the depth of their control over the region.
Justice Served With Strong Sentences
Beyond the eleven executions, more than twenty additional family members received prison sentences. While some defendants expressed remorse during court proceedings, the severe punishments demonstrate China's determined crackdown on border-region scam businesses that have plagued the region for years.
The case highlights the deadly consequences of online romance scams and the international reach of organised crime groups operating in Southeast Asia's border regions.
