China hands death sentences to three members of Myanmar gambling and fraud syndicate

The Wei family reportedly used its political and military influence to establish compounds in Laukkai, where armed personnel protected illegal businesses.

China.- China has sentenced three members of a Myanmar-based criminal syndicate to death for operating illegal casinos, telecommunications fraud operations and other criminal activities linked to more than 12.2bn yuan (US$1.7bn) in funds. The Quanzhou Intermediate People’s Court and Nan’an People’s Court in China’s Fujian province announced the sentences against Wei Huairen, Chen Dawei and Liao Jingfang, members of the Wei family syndicate operating in Myanmar’s Kokang region, on October 13.

The courts found that the group had used the family’s political and military influence to establish criminal compounds in Laukkai and provided armed protection for operators involved in illegal gambling, telecommunications fraud, extortion, drug trafficking and organised prostitution. The network also operated alongside a related criminal organisation known as the Henry Group. The syndicate used armed personnel to maintain control over its compounds, with court findings linking its members to the deaths of four Chinese nationals.

Three other defendants, Wei Qingtao, Kang Min and Xiong Hengxing, received life sentences. Another 55 defendants were jailed for terms ranging from three years and three months to 24 years. The courts also ordered asset confiscations, fines and deportations where applicable.

The case is part of China’s crackdown on criminal networks operating across its borders with Southeast Asia and follows the execution of members of rival criminal families earlier in 2026.