A court in China has handed down death sentences to 11 members of the infamous Ming family, a criminal syndicate that operated scam centers in Myanmar. The verdict comes as part of a sweeping crackdown on the family’s wide-ranging criminal activities.
According to Chinese state broadcaster CCTV, a total of 39 members of the Ming family were sentenced on Monday in the eastern city of Wenzhou. Besides the 11 death sentences, five others received death sentences with two-year suspensions, 11 were sentenced to life imprisonment, and the remainder received jail terms ranging from five to 24 years.
The Ming family worked for one of the four clans that controlled the town of Laukkai in Myanmar, near the Chinese border. This small, isolated town became a hub for illegal gambling, drug trafficking, and scam operations. Myanmar authorities cracked down in 2023, arresting many family members and handing them over to Chinese officials.
The court found that, since 2015, the Ming family and other criminal groups were involved in a range of illegal activities including telecommunications fraud, illegal casinos, drug trafficking, and prostitution. Their gambling and scam operations reportedly generated more than 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion; £1 billion).
The court also revealed the Ming family’s involvement in the deaths of several scam centre workers, including an incident where workers were shot to prevent them from fleeing to China. Ten people died, and two were injured in these violent episodes.
The Ming family’s reign ended two years ago when insurgent groups allied and attacked the Myanmar military in the region, taking control of Laukkai and dismantling local authorities, effectively ending the family’s criminal operations.
In total, the court found the family guilty of 14 crimes, including fraud, intentional homicide, and intentional injury. The high-profile trial attracted over 160 attendees, including local legislators, political advisers, Ming family members, and the public.
Story by: Elikplim Awuku
