China Sentences Ming Family Mafia Members to Death – China has issued some of its harshest penalties in recent years against organized crime, sentencing 11 members of the Ming family mafia to death for their role in building and controlling a vast criminal empire based in Myanmar’s Shan State. In total, 39 defendants connected to the family were convicted in a Chinese court, marking a decisive step in Beijing’s campaign to crush cross-border fraud, drug trafficking, and illicit casinos.
The trial, held in the city of Wenzhou, drew nationwide attention not only because of the scale of the convictions but also because it targeted one of the most notorious clans operating out of Laukkai, a border town infamous for scams, gambling, and human trafficking. The Ming family’s downfall, long considered inevitable after regional crackdowns, signals a significant blow against the criminal syndicates that have thrived on China’s doorstep.
The Court’s Sentences
According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, the sentences were handed down as follows:
- 11 Ming family members received death sentences.
- 5 were given death sentences with two-year suspensions (which may later be commuted to life imprisonment).
- 11 were jailed for life.
- The remaining defendants received prison terms ranging from five to 24 years.
The court concluded that the family had engaged in a wide range of crimes since at least 2015, including telecommunications fraud, illegal casinos, drug trafficking, and prostitution.
Most strikingly, the ruling held the Ming clan responsible for multiple deaths, including the execution-style killing of scam centre workers who attempted to escape and return to China.
The Rise of the Ming Family
The Ming family was part of a powerful network of four mafia clans that transformed Laukkai, a quiet Myanmar town near the Chinese border, into a hub for gambling and scams.
Originally, these casinos were developed to exploit Chinese citizens’ demand for gambling, which is banned in mainland China. But over time, they evolved into sprawling centres for money laundering, narcotics, prostitution, and online fraud.
At the height of their influence, the Ming family controlled compounds with as many as 10,000 forced workers, many of whom had been trafficked or lured with false promises of employment. One compound, infamously known as the Crouching Tiger Villa, became a symbol of the syndicate’s brutality, with routine beatings and torture inflicted on unwilling workers.
The United Nations has described this wave of cross-border online fraud as the “scamdemic”, which has trapped more than 100,000 foreign nationals in forced labor across Southeast Asia.
Myanmar Crackdown and China’s Involvement
The Ming family’s empire began to unravel in 2023, when Myanmar’s authorities, under pressure from Beijing, cracked down on syndicates in Laukkai. Several Ming family members were arrested and extradited to China. Others, including the family patriarch Ming Xuechang, reportedly committed suicide to avoid capture.
Meanwhile, an insurgent offensive in Shan State drove Myanmar’s military out of key territories, including Laukkai. Observers believe the operation had tacit Chinese approval, as it aligned with Beijing’s growing frustration over criminal gangs tarnishing its regional influence.
Following the offensive, thousands of trafficked workers were liberated and repatriated to China, Thailand, and other countries. Chinese officials, who had long viewed these scam syndicates as a national security threat, quickly assumed custody of the Ming family members for prosecution.
Scale of the Criminal Empire
Estimates suggest the Ming family alone generated more than 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion) from scams, casinos, and drug trafficking. Independent analysts previously calculated that each of the four mafia families in Laukkai was processing several billion dollars annually through gambling and fraud operations.
Beyond money, the Ming clan cultivated political connections and violent enforcement mechanisms. Workers who attempted to flee were often beaten, detained, or even killed. The court specifically highlighted instances where gang members opened fire on fleeing workers, a measure meant to terrify others into submission.
A Signal of Beijing’s Determination
The sentencing is widely interpreted as China’s attempt to send a strong deterrent message to remaining criminal groups across the region. Beijing has grown increasingly vocal about the dangers posed by scam centres, not just to victims but also to China’s domestic security and international reputation.
Earlier this year, Chinese pressure also forced Thailand to shut down several scam centres along its own border with Myanmar. Despite these efforts, the industry has proven resilient, with many operations shifting to Cambodia while others continue under new disguises in Myanmar.
Nevertheless, analysts argue that the Ming family convictions are among the most significant blows dealt to Southeast Asia’s scam networks in years. The death sentences in particular underscore China’s willingness to use the harshest penalties to dismantle mafia operations.
Broader Implications
The Ming family saga highlights broader themes in Southeast Asia’s struggle with organized crime:
- Cross-border networks — Syndicates like the Ming family relied on porous borders, weak local governance, and regional corruption to thrive.
- Human trafficking and forced labor — Scam centres exploited tens of thousands of vulnerable workers, trapping them in violent conditions.
- China’s expanding influence — By leveraging military offensives and diplomatic pressure, Beijing is asserting greater control over criminal activity in neighboring states.
- Adaptation of criminal industries — While Laukkai’s syndicates have been disrupted, the fraud networks are relocating, proving the problem is far from over.
End of an Empire, Beginning of a Warning
The sentencing of the Ming family mafia members marks a historic moment in China’s fight against cross-border crime. With 11 death sentences, multiple life terms, and dozens of convictions, Beijing has demonstrated that it will pursue mafia syndicates with uncompromising severity.
However, experts warn that unless regional cooperation expands to Cambodia, Laos, and other hotspots, the “scamdemic” will continue to evolve. For now, the Ming family’s downfall stands as both a victory for law enforcement and a stark reminder of the challenges still ahead in dismantling Southeast Asia’s shadow economy.
Source: BBC News
