In a trial held in Wenzhou city, China, members of the notorious transnational criminal group known as the "Ming" family were sentenced. According to reports from China State Radio and Television, 39 individuals will be held accountable for various serious crimes, writes "zamon.uz".
According to the investigation materials, the "Ming" family has been managing fraud centers located in Laukkaing city, Myanmar, since 2015. They were involved in illegal gambling operations, online fraud, drug trafficking, and human trafficking.
The criminal network's illegal income exceeded 10 billion yuan (approximately 1.4 billion US dollars). More than 10,000 workers operated in centers known as "Crouching Tiger Villa" in Laukkaing, the majority of whom were subjected to forced labor and violence.
According to the court verdict, the following sentences were imposed on members of the "Ming" family:
11 individuals — death penalty;
5 individuals — suspended death sentence (with a 2-year reprieve);
11 individuals — life imprisonment;
12 individuals — imprisonment from 5 to 24 years.
The "Ming" family is recognized as one of the most influential criminal groups in Myanmar. In 2023, the Myanmar government handed over a portion of the wanted members to Chinese law enforcement agencies. The family's leader, Ming Xuechang, is said to have committed suicide while in custody.
The strict measures taken by the Chinese government against such criminal networks are gaining international attention. Under pressure from Beijing, Thailand has also intensified its fight against illegal centers in the border areas with Myanmar. However, according to UN information, some networks continue their activities in other countries, such as Cambodia.
The UN refers to such structures as "scam factories" and assesses China's harsh measures against the "Ming" family as an example of an uncompromising policy against crime.
