31-1-2024 (YANGON) Myanmar authorities have handed over 10 alleged cyber scam suspects to China, marking a significant development in Beijing’s efforts to combat online fraud. The suspects, including six accused ringleaders of cybercrime gangs and four major criminal suspects, were extradited to China on Tuesday, according to the Chinese Ministry of Public Security.
Among the extradited suspects are Bai Suocheng, former chairman of northern Myanmar’s Kokang self-administered zone, along with his son and daughter. Members of two other alleged crime families – the Wei and Liu families – and Xu Laofa, accused of leading another fraud gang, were also extradited, the ministry confirmed.
These suspects were named on Beijing’s wanted list in December, with authorities offering cash rewards of up to 500,000 yuan (US$70,000) for any information leading to their arrests. The ministry stated that the criminal enterprises vigorously organised fraudulent activities, established hideouts, armed themselves, and carried out telecommunications network fraud against Chinese citizens, resulting in extremely heinous crimes including intentional murder, injury, and illegal detention.
Since September, Myanmar has extradited 44,000 fraud suspects to China, including core members and financiers of criminal enterprises. The ministry hailed this progress as historic and significant in combating cybercrime and dealing a heavy blow to overseas fraud syndicates.
Beijing’s intensified efforts to tackle cyber fraud come amid increasing concerns over scams targeting Chinese nationals, often luring them to northern Myanmar where they become trapped and coerced into fraudulent activities. The scams, which include investment fraud, romance scams, and extortion, generate funds diverted through casinos and converted into hard-to-trace cryptocurrencies.
In response, Beijing has targeted Chinese fugitives believed to lead criminal enterprises. In November, members of the Ming crime family, operating the infamous Crouching Tiger Villa telecoms scam compound in Kokang, were arrested. The family’s leader, Ming Xuechang, also known as Myin Shaw Chang, is believed to have committed suicide while evading Myanmar police.
China’s assistant foreign minister Nong Rong visited Myanmar in November, emphasizing joint efforts to tackle cross-border crime and maintain border stability. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s ruling military has faced attacks from ethnic minority insurgent groups and pro-democracy fighters challenging the junta’s rule since October.
