In a major crackdown on transnational crime, a Chinese court in Wenzhou has sentenced 11 members of the notorious Ming family to death. The group was part of a sprawling criminal enterprise operating from Laukkai, a border town in Myanmar infamous for its scam centres, gambling, and drug trade.

According to Chinese state media, 39 members of the Ming family were found guilty on Monday of running elaborate fraud operations targeting Chinese citizens. The family worked under one of four powerful clans that had turned Laukkai into a lawless hub of illicit activity.

Following a coordinated crackdown by Myanmar authorities in 2023, many family members were arrested and extradited to China. The severe sentences reflect Beijing’s escalating efforts to dismantle cybercrime networks operating along its borders.

This high-profile case underscores China’s zero-tolerance stance on cross-border scams, which have victimized thousands and fueled regional instability.