11 members of notorious Ming family mafia that ran scam centres in Myanmar get death sentence

China sentenced 11 members of the Ming family mafia to death.

The notorious gang was known for being one of the clans in Laukkai, a Myanmar town bordering China.

According to China Daily, 39 members of the family-run syndicate were convicted of multiple crimes, including killing 14 Chinese nationals.

Their total proceeds from gambling and fraud exceeded 10 billion yuan (S$1.8 billion).

The court in Zhejiang province found the defendants guilty of 14 offences, ranging from fraud and intentional injury to intentional homicide.

11 of the members, including ringleaders Mg Myin Shaunt Phyin and Ma Thiri Maung, were sentenced to death.

Five other members received death sentences with a two-year reprieve, and another 11 were given life imprisonment.

In China, a suspended death penalty is generally converted to life imprisonment if no new offences are committed within the two-year reprieve.

The remaining members received sentences ranging from five to 24 years.

According to BBC, the court found the Ming family and other criminal groups had, in one incident, shot workers to prevent them from returning to China.

Image from CBGC