Death Sentence for the “Ming Family”: China Executes 11 Organizers of Scam Centers and Casinos in Myanmar

On January 29, 2026, China carried out the death sentences of 11 key members of the “Ming Family” criminal syndicate. The group, based in the Kokang region of Myanmar, was found guilty of establishing a transnational network of online casinos and cyber-fraud centers.

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Scale and Nature of the Crimes

• Financial Turnover: The syndicate’s operations generated over $1.4 billion (exceeding 10 billion yuan). The primary victims were citizens of the People’s Republic of China.
• Serious Offenses: Beyond organizing illegal gambling and telecommunications fraud, the defendants were convicted of intentional homicide, kidnapping, and the illegal detention of “employees” held in slave-like conditions.
• Casualties: The deaths of at least 14 Chinese citizens were officially confirmed. These individuals were killed while attempting to flee the scam compounds or for refusing to comply with the gang leaders’ demands.

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History of the Crackdown

• The Takedown: The dismantling of the syndicate began in late 2023 after China issued arrest warrants for the clan’s top leadership. The family patriarch, Ming Xuechang, committed suicide during his arrest in Myanmar to avoid capture.
• The Trial: The remaining members were extradited to China. In September 2025, the Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court sentenced them to death. The Supreme People’s Court of the PRC finalized and approved the sentences in January 2026.
• A Broader Campaign: This execution is part of Beijing’s intensified “zero-tolerance” campaign to eradicate cross-border fraud and illegal gambling networks across Southeast Asia. Notably, on February 2, 2026, China followed this by executing four members of the rival Bai family for similar crimes.

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Sources: The Guardian, Sky News, Xinhua News Agency, Channel News Asia.