China court sentences members of Ming family crime group to death
Dozens receive severe punishments in cross-border syndicate trial involving over RMB 10bn (US$1.4bn).
Key points:
– 11 defendants sentenced to death, 5 given suspended death penalties
– Group accused of fraud, murder, gambling and other serious crimes
– Activities linked to armed protection of scams in northern Myanmar
The Wenzhou Intermediate People’s Court has handed down death sentences to 11 members of the Ming family crime syndicate, with a further five receiving suspended death penalties, as reported by Wen Wei Po.
The verdict marks one of the largest rulings in recent years against a cross-border network accused of fraud, gambling and violent offences.
A total of 39 defendants faced trial. Eleven were sentenced to life imprisonment and 12 others received prison terms ranging from five to 24 years, accompanied by fines, confiscations and deportation orders.
The court found that since 2015 the Ming family, led by the late Ming Xuechang and his relatives, leveraged armed influence in Myanmar’s Kokang region to protect illicit operations. The group provided cover for financial backers who established compounds running telecom scams, illegal casinos, narcotics trafficking and prostitution.
Authorities stated that the criminal network was directly responsible for killing and injuring those who attempted to escape or resisted control. Armed clashes in 2023 led to the deaths of at least 14 people.
Good to know: Since 2023, China and Myanmar have stepped up joint operations against northern Myanmar-based telecom fraud networks
The Ming syndicate was also accused of funnelling more than RMB 10bn through fraudulent activities. Three senior family members were captured in November 2023 following a joint cross-border operation, while ringleader Ming Xuechang died by suicide during an attempted arrest.
The court ruled that the crimes amounted to 14 separate offences, including fraud, murder and illegal detention. The sentences, it said, reflected both the severity of the offences and their impact on society.
Over 160 representatives from government bodies, family members and members of the public attended the sentencing in Wenzhou.
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