Two suspects of telecom fraud are handed over by Myanmar to the Chinese police at Yangon International Airport and escorted back to China on August 23, 2023. Photo: Chinese Embassy in Myanmar

Chinese police have offered a reward between 100,000 to 500,000 yuan ($13,700 to $68,500) for information related to four key ringleaders of a telecom fraud syndicate in the Kokang region of northern Myanmar that targets Chinese citizens.

The four suspects, Ming Xuechang, Ming Guoping, Ming Julan and Ming Zhenzhen, have been involved in the long-term organization and operation of fraudulent crime dens. The group carried out extensive telecommunications and online fraud activities targeting Chinese citizens under the protection of their own security forces, resulting in substantial financial losses.

Even under pressure from the public security organs, the criminal gangs headed by Ming Xuechang continued to organize and carry out various illegal and criminal activities on a large scale. 

Simultaneously, they are suspected of engaging in serious violent crimes, including homicide, intentional injury, and illegal detention, with extremely heinous circumstances and severe consequences, the Chinese police noted in the statement.

Chinese police stated that the criminal activities orchestrated by the four ringleaders led by Ming Xuechang are supported by irrefutable evidence. Authorities urge them to voluntarily surrender in exchange for lenient treatment.

The police also called on the public to help arrest the ringleaders. Public security organs are offering a reward of up to 500,000 yuan to those who provide further information that may assist with the arrest. 

Since the beginning of 2023, the frequent occurrence and significant losses caused by telecom fraud cases have triggered concern and widespread backlash among the public in China. China and Southeast Asian countries have vowed to protect people from fraud and related crimes through joint special operations.

Earlier, Chinese State Councilor and Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong and Assistant Foreign Minister Nong Rong visited Myanmar respectively, calling on the two sides to strengthen cooperation in combating illegal activities such as telecom fraud and online gambling, effectively protecting the safety of Chinese citizens and property along the border, and safeguarding the security and interests of the two countries.

In response to the recent rise in telecom fraud crimes in northern Myanmar targeting Chinese citizens, Chinese authorities have strengthened crackdown efforts and organized targeted operations, achieving significant results. 

After sustained and effective crackdowns, 4,666 telecom fraud suspects from northern Myanmar have been successfully captured and handed over to Chinese authorities, including behind-the-scenes "financial backers," organizational leaders, and core members, along with 205 fugitives listed online, according to Xinhua.

Public security authorities will thoroughly investigate all available evidence, while cracking down on fraud, and will work to disrupt associated crimes within the domestic markets, ensuring a comprehensive crackdown and strict legal punishment.

Increased pressure on cross-border crimes, telecom fraud in particular, has significantly disrupted space for overseas fraud activity, and the number of telecom and internet fraud cases in China has shown a clear declining trend.

Since August this year, the number of telecom fraud cases and property loss decreased by 24 percent and 20.5 percent year-on-year respectively. By the end of September, 387 key leaders of telecom fraud groups had been arrested, Wang Zhizhong, vice minister of public security, earlier said at a news conference, adding that China will resolutely curb the high incidence of telecom fraud crimes.

Public security organs use the early warning system to push 310 million early warning messages to all parts of the country to prevent the occurrence of fraud cases to the maximum extent, so as to protect the property safety of the public, Wang remarked.

Global Times