A Chinese court has sentenced five individuals, including Bai Suocheng and his son Bai Yingcang, to death for their involvement in a criminal organization operating in Myanmar's Laukkaing region. In total, 21 members and associates of the Bai family were convicted of crimes including fraud, homicide, and injury. The group was accused of running extensive cyberscam operations involving trafficked workers, with reported criminal activities exceeding 29 billion Chinese yuan ($4.1 billion). This action is part of China's broader efforts against scam networks in Southeast Asia.
Court Verdicts and Convictions
The Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court sentenced five individuals to death. These included Bai Suocheng, identified as the patriarch of the Bai family, his son Bai Yingcang, along with Yang Liqiang, Hu Xiaojiang, and Chen Guangyi.
In addition to the death sentences, two members of the Bai family received suspended death sentences. Five others were sentenced to life imprisonment, and nine more received jail terms ranging from three to 20 years. A total of 21 Bai family members and associates were convicted of various crimes, including fraud, homicide, and injury, according to a state media report published on the court's website.
Scope of Operations and Criminal Activities
Authorities stated that the Bai family, which controlled its own militia, established 41 compounds for their cyberscam activities and casinos. These criminal activities were reported to involve more than 29 billion Chinese yuan ($4.1 billion; £3.1 billion). State media reports indicated that these operations led to the deaths of six Chinese citizens, one suicide, and multiple injuries.
The group's operations reportedly involved thousands of trafficked workers, many of whom were Chinese, who were compelled to participate in fraudulent schemes. A documentary aired on Chinese state media in July featured an account from a worker at one of these centers, who described being subjected to physical violence, including having fingernails removed with pliers and two fingers severed.
Bai Yingcang was quoted in the documentary stating that the Bai family was "the most powerful in both the political and military circles" at one time. These families, including the Bais, reportedly gained influence in the 2000s, with connections to Min Aung Hlaing, who now leads Myanmar's military government.
Broader Campaign Against Scam Networks
These sentences by the Chinese court are part of China's ongoing campaign to address scam networks in Southeast Asia. In September, a Chinese court also sentenced 11 members of the Ming family, another Laukkaing-based group, to death for similar crimes.