China Executes 11 from Notorious Myanmar Scam Family

Mass Execution of Criminal Clan Marks Escalation in Regional Crackdown

China has executed eleven members of the notorious Ming family criminal organization, marking a dramatic escalation in Beijing's campaign against Southeast Asia's sprawling scam center industry. The executions, carried out on January 29, 2026, follow death sentences issued in September by a court in Wenzhou, Zhejiang province, and approved by China's Supreme People's Court.

A Billion-Dollar Criminal Empire

The Ming family was part of the infamous 'four families of northern Myanmar' crime syndicates that transformed border regions into hubs for illegal gambling, prostitution, drug production, and sophisticated online fraud operations. According to CNN reporting, the family operated from the Crouching Tiger Villa compound in Kokang, employing up to 10,000 people at its peak to conduct elaborate scams targeting victims worldwide.

'The Ming family's operations generated over 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) between 2015 and 2023,' according to court documents cited by BBC News. Their activities resulted in the deaths of 14 Chinese citizens and injuries to many others.

From Border Warlords to International Criminals

The Mings were among several clans that established semi-autonomous fiefdoms in Myanmar's northern Shan State, particularly around the border town of Laukkai. With close ties to Myanmar's military junta, these families operated with near-impunity for years, transforming the region into what human rights groups describe as a 'lawless zone' for transnational crime.

The family's downfall began in 2023 when Chinese-backed militias captured Laukkai and arrested Ming family members. Family patriarch Ming Xuechang committed suicide while in custody, while his son Ming Guoping and granddaughter Ming Zhenzhen were among those executed this week.

Regional Human Rights Crisis

The scam centers represent what UN human rights experts have declared a 'humanitarian and human rights crisis'. Hundreds of thousands of trafficked individuals from various nationalities are forced to carry out fraud operations in facilities across Cambodia, Myanmar, Laos, the Philippines, and Malaysia.

'Victims are kidnapped, sold between criminal networks, and held against their will - only released if ransoms are paid by families,' according to UN experts. 'Those attempting escape face torture, electrocution, beatings, sexual violence, or death with impunity.'

China's Changing Stance

For years, China tolerated these operations as they primarily targeted foreigners, but pressure mounted as more Chinese citizens became victims. The turning point came when international media attention grew and the United States increased pressure on Beijing to act.

'It was only when the international media spotlight intensified and China faced reputational damage that the government seriously began hunting the criminals,' noted China correspondent Gabi Verberg in the original NOS report.

The Ongoing Challenge

Despite the high-profile executions, experts warn the problem persists. The New York Times reported that many scam centers simply relocate when pressured, with Myanmar's junta showing limited commitment to genuine eradication due to financial benefits from the operations.

The UN estimates up to 120,000 people may be working in such centers across Southeast Asia, with the industry generating nearly $44 billion annually according to American estimates. As China flexes its regional influence through these executions, the underlying economic and political conditions that enable these criminal enterprises remain largely unchanged.