Myanmar Approves Death Penalty for Online Scam Ring Operators

Myanmar's parliament has approved a law imposing capital punishment for those who confine or forcibly coerce victims into working at online fraud centers, known locally as scam hubs. Parliament Speaker Aung Lin Dwe announced the passage of the anti-online fraud legislation during a joint parliamentary session in Naypyidaw on July 28, with lawmakers confirming that capital punishment is included in the final bill.

The draft law released in May stipulates prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, as well as capital punishment for "violence, torture, unlawful arrest, detention, or cruel treatment of individuals to force them into online fraud operations." Scam-related offenses resulting in death carry automatic death sentences.

The law also prescribes life imprisonment for those operating online scam centers or convicted of cryptocurrency fraud offenses. Under pressure from countries including the United States and China, Myanmar's military-led government under President Min Aung Hlaing has pledged to crack down on these illegal operations and cooperate with neighboring countries to combat online fraud crimes.

Observers note that Myanmar law enforcement raids and arrests have largely displaced scam operations rather than eliminating them entirely. Crackdowns on major scam hubs such as KK Park in Myawaddy, Kayin State, and Shwego in Shan State—which served as headquarters for international call center gangs and human trafficking networks—have reportedly pushed operators to relocate to Cambodia near the Thai border.