China executes 5 tied to Kokang call-centre scam in Myanmar

A Chinese court sentenced five criminals to death and others to prison for operating call-centre scams in Kokang, northern Myanmar, that caused multiple deaths.

Xinhua reported that on Tuesday (November 4), the Shenzhen Intermediate People’s Court in Guangdong province sentenced five defendants to death for their involvement in a criminal network operating in the Kokang region of northern Myanmar. The group was convicted of multiple offences, including fraud, intentional homicide, and assault.

The court ruled that their crimes led to the deaths of six Chinese citizens, the suicide of another, and several injuries.

In addition to the five executions, two defendants received suspended death sentences, five were given life imprisonment, and nine others were jailed for between three and 20 years. The sentences were accompanied by fines, asset seizures, and deportations.

The syndicate reportedly ran 41 operational bases in Kokang, engaging in crimes ranging from telecommunications fraud and illegal gambling to murder, human trafficking, and prostitution. 

One of the executed defendants also conspired in the production and trafficking of about 11 tonnes of methamphetamine. The total funds involved in the scams and gambling operations exceeded 29 billion yuan (around 133 billion baht).