China has executed 11 members of a notorious family that ran scam centres in Myanmar, state media report. A court in Zhejiang province sentenced the Ming family members for crimes including homicide, illegal detention, fraud, and operating gambling dens last September. The Ming family was one of several clans that ran Myanmar's sleepy town of Laukkaing, turning it into a flashpoint for casinos and red-light districts. Their extensive scam operations came crashing down in 2023 when ethnic militias, taking control of Laukkaing during ongoing civil unrest, detained them and handed them over to China.

These scams have ensnared thousands of Chinese workers over the years, driving many into forced labor situations to swindle money from victims abroad. A notable case arose last year when a small-time actor, initially in Thailand for an acting opportunity, was taken instead to a scam centre in Myanmar, highlighting the dire situation faced by many.

The Chinese government, frustrated by the rampant crime, had pressed the Myanmar junta to effectively reign in the scam mafia. Ultimately, the escalating conflict between the junta and ethnic armies contributed to the Ming mafia's downfall. Between 2015 and 2023, their operations accrued over 10 billion yuan ($1.4 billion), leading to significant loss of lives, with 14 reported fatalities linked to their criminal activities. China's highest court rejected their appeals last November.}