This is a notorious criminal group specializing in operating fraud centers in Myanmar. The sentences were carried out in Wenzhou city, Zhejiang province, after being approved by the Supreme People's Court. Chinese media reported that the relatives of the inmates met for the last time before serving their sentences.
Previously, 39 members of the Minh family, considered one of the four largest fraud families in China, were convicted of crimes including murder, illegal detention, fraud and operating a gambling den.
Among these, 11 defendants, including two ringleaders, received death sentences. Five others were sentenced to death but suspended for two years, 11 people received life imprisonment, the remaining defendants received sentences ranging from 5 to 24 years in prison. Some cases were fined, property confiscated and deported.
According to the court, the sentencing is based on the nature of the act, the circumstances of the crime and the level of danger to society of each defendant. The Minh family once controlled the remote town of Laukkaing in Myanmar, near the Chinese border. This area was turned into a casino center and illegal activities, accompanied by the presence of armed forces set up by the gang.
Since 2015, this organization has built a fraud network, linking with other gangs to receive funding and weapons. Crime activities range from phone scams, casino business to drug trafficking and organizing prostitution. The Minh family's empire collapsed in 2023 when the Myanmar government launched a crackdown and handed over members to China.
According to the court's ruling, this group illegally profited more than 10 billion yuan (more than 37,400 billion VND) in the period 2015 - 2023, causing 14 Chinese citizens to die and many others to be injured. The case takes place in the context of China strengthening its online anti-fraud campaign and promoting law enforcement cooperation with countries in the region.
