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BEIJING – China has executed 11 members of the notorious Ming family criminal syndicate. These individuals operated industrial-scale online scam centers in Myanmar’s lawless northern border region. This high-profile execution follows a series of breakthroughs in China’s cross-border crackdown on telecommunications fraud. The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court carried out the sentences on Thursday, January 29, 2026, after the Supreme People’s Court approved the verdict.
The Ming family became the face of a violent criminal empire based in Laukkai, the capital of the Kokang region. For nearly a decade, they amassed over 10 billion yuan (approx. $1.4 billion) through illicit activities. Their operations included investment fraud, romance scams, and illegal gambling. However, the severity of their punishment stems primarily from their involvement in intentional homicide and the unlawful detention of thousands.
The Fall of Crouching Tiger Villa
Years of human trafficking and violent extortion end in a major legal reckoning.
At the heart of their empire was the “Crouching Tiger Villa,” a fortified compound in Kokang. Behind high walls, a private army of 2,000 men guarded roughly 10,000 workers. Many of these workers were trafficked Chinese nationals lured by false job offers. Testimonies from survivors revealed a nightmare of routine beatings, electric shocks, and torture for those failing to meet scam quotas.
The downfall of the Ming clan accelerated in late 2023. During a botched prisoner transfer, guards opened fire on escaping workers, killing at least 14 Chinese citizens. This “1020 Incident” forced Beijing to intensify pressure on the Myanmar military. Consequently, China issued massive bounties for the family leaders. While the patriarch, Ming Xuechang, reportedly committed suicide to avoid capture, other core members including Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen were extradited to face Chinese justice.
Eradicating the Scourge of Cyber Fraud
China vows to continue its aggressive campaign against Southeast Asian scam hubs.
The execution of the Ming family sends a chilling warning to other transnational criminal networks. Beyond the 11 executions, the court sentenced 23 other convicts to prison terms ranging from five years to life. A spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry stated that China would “intensify efforts to eradicate the scourge of gambling and fraud.”
Recent reports from the UN Office on Drugs and Crime highlight that these billion-dollar operations are expanding into Laos and Cambodia. In response, China has repatriated thousands of its citizens from these compounds over the past year. Authorities are also targeting other powerful clans, such as the Bai family, who recently received death sentences in Shenzhen. By dismantling these syndicates, Beijing aims to protect its citizens and stabilize its porous southern border.