Chinese Court Sentences Members of Ming Crime Family for Online Scams

On September 30, 2025, a court in Wenzhou, Zhejiang Province, China, sentenced 11 individuals associated with the Ming crime family to death for their involvement in a billion-dollar online scam and gambling operation based in Myanmar's Kokang region. The court's ruling also addressed the deaths of workers who attempted to escape from the group's control. The Ming family, led by Ming Xuechang, was part of a network of crime syndicates known for their extensive operations in internet fraud, drug trafficking, and organized prostitution.

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The Ming family is one of the four prominent crime families operating in northern Myanmar, with a significant presence in the Kokang region. They established numerous compounds, including the notorious Crouching Tiger Villa, where thousands of trafficked workers were forced to engage in online scams. Reports indicate that at their peak, the Ming family employed around 10,000 individuals in these illicit activities, contributing to a thriving scam industry that transformed Kokang into a hub for cybercrime.

CNN

The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court's verdict included suspended death sentences for five additional defendants and prison terms ranging from five to 24 years for 12 others. The court highlighted the group's reliance on armed force to maintain control over their operations and noted that they were responsible for the deaths of at least 14 individuals, including 10 who attempted to flee. The crackdown on the Ming family followed years of international pressure and complaints from families of trafficked workers.

The Guardian

The Chinese government's crackdown on the Ming crime family is part of a larger effort to combat cross-border crime, particularly targeting scams that affect Chinese nationals. Since 2023, Chinese authorities have repatriated over 53,000 individuals, including victims of trafficking, from scam compounds in northern Myanmar. This coordinated effort coincided with a rebel offensive against the Myanmar military, which also aimed to dismantle the scam operations.

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Despite the crackdown, experts warn that the cyber fraud industry continues to evolve rapidly. Criminal syndicates are increasingly utilizing advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and cryptocurrencies, to enhance their operations. Analysts have expressed concerns that the ongoing civil unrest in Myanmar may further complicate efforts to combat these crimes, as lawlessness in border regions allows such operations to flourish.

CNN

While the court's statement indicated that the Ming family was responsible for multiple deaths, the exact number remains disputed among various sources. Additionally, the scale of the scam operations and the extent of their impact on victims are difficult to quantify, with estimates of losses due to scams in Southeast Asia reaching over $43 billion annually.

The Guardian

“Cash from the illicit activities had transformed the impoverished border town into a glittering casino city.” — Chinese state media report

CNN

“The group’s operations attracted numerous “financial backers” to whom it provided armed protection, the court said.” — Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court statement

The Guardian

“Mark Phillips/CNN More than $43 billion is lost to scams in Southeast Asia by regional crime groups a year, according to the US Congress-founded United States Institute of Peace.” — United States Institute of Peace report

CNN

“Scam centres, in which criminals run sophisticated online scams targeting people all over the world, have proliferated in countries in south-east Asia, including Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia.” — The Guardian report

The Guardian

The sentencing of the Ming crime family marks a significant step in China's efforts to address the growing threat of cybercrime and human trafficking in the region, though challenges remain in fully eradicating these complex criminal networks.

CNN