Myanmar anti-scam bill seeks death penalty for major offences

• Myanmar's government has submitted a new Anti-Online Scam Bill to parliament that includes severe penalties for major offences.

• The proposed law sets out punishments ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, with the death penalty as a possible sentence for the most serious crimes.

• The death penalty would be compulsory under the bill if an online scam offence leads to a person's death.

• The legislation also seeks to establish a central anti-scam committee with powers to investigate, freeze transactions, and seize assets.

A proposed law aimed at cracking down on online scam operations in Myanmar has been submitted to the Upper House of Parliament, with the draft setting out penalties as severe as life imprisonment and capital punishment for the most serious offences.

The Anti-Online Scam Bill was put forward on June 3 by Myanmar’s Ministry of Home Affairs and introduced by Union Home Affairs Minister Lt-Gen Nyunt Win Swe.

He said the legislation is designed to stop online fraud networks from gaining a foothold in the country, support cooperation with foreign governments, tackle cross-border cybercrime, and defend national stability and sovereignty.