Telecom fraud in northern Myanmar: A systemic cross-border crime

Telecom fraud operations linked to northern Myanmar have posed a serious threat to public security in China, causing significant financial losses and resulting in multiple deaths. Following nationwide investigations that gathered extensive evidence against overseas criminal groups targeting victims in China, Chinese authorities initiated joint law enforcement actions with Myanmar to address the cross-border telecom and online fraud crimes.

The recent executions mark a new development in China's sustained crackdown on telecom and online fraud crimes linked to northern Myanmar, conducted through China — Myanmar law enforcement cooperation. According to information released by Chinese judicial authorities, four senior members of the Bai family criminal group, a Myanmar-based criminal gang, were executed after their death sentences were approved by the Supreme People's Court.

The criminal group was found to have operated multiple fraud and gambling bases overseas, with illegal activities involving more than 29 billion yuan (about $4.16 billion) in funds. The group's crimes resulted in the deaths of six Chinese citizens and injuries to several others and also included the manufacture and trafficking of approximately 11 tonnes of methamphetamine.

In recent years, Chinese authorities have intensified investigations into major cross-border telecom fraud cases, focusing on ringleaders and key offenders. Through China-Myanmar law enforcement cooperation, suspects have been brought back to China for trial. The cases have been handled in accordance with legal procedures, with verdicts reviewed and approved by judicial authorities at multiple levels.

Public case disclosures show that telecom fraud linked to northern Myanmar expanded during a specific period under particular cross-border conditions. Weak local governance and limited enforcement capacity allowed large-scale scam operations to continue for extended periods without effective oversight.

The Bai family criminal group case offers critical insights into the systemic factors that allowed large-scale telecommunications fraud to establish a foothold and proliferate. Court findings show that criminal groups operated openly by blending fraud activities into local political, security and business environments. Under the cover of seemingly legitimate enterprises, scam compounds were established and expanded, creating local economic activity that was driven largely by illegal proceeds rather than lawful business.

The cross-border nature of telecom fraud made enforcement more difficult. While the operations were based overseas, victims, money transfers and online infrastructure were spread across different countries. This separation complicated investigations and coordination, allowing fraud networks to expand before they could be effectively disrupted.

Judicial disclosures show that cross-border telecom fraud was not limited to financial crimes but involved illegal detention, intimidation and coercion within scam operations. Such activities posed risks to personal safety and public security, affecting individuals across borders and raising broader concerns for regional and international security.

Large-scale telecom fraud has been linked to illegal gambling and drug trafficking, generating significant illicit profits and increasing security risks. The crimes have disrupted cross-border travel and business and complicated law enforcement efforts across borders.

Against this background, China has emphasized the importance of coordinated international action. Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said: "For some time, China has been actively working with Myanmar and other countries in combating crimes of cross-border telecom and online fraud, to eliminate the scourge of online gambling and telecom fraud, protect the safety of people's life and property, and keep the exchange and cooperation between regional countries in order. These efforts have achieved remarkable results. China will continue deepening international law enforcement cooperation, step up efforts of combating telecom fraud and online gambling and other related cross-border crimes, and eradicate the problems of gambling and scam."