Overview

• The Wenzhou Intermediate People's Court imposed multiple death sentences on members of the Myanmar-based Ming family network, naming figures such as Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen, alongside suspended death sentences and lengthy prison terms.
• Initial reports diverge on the exact death-sentence count, with some citing 16 and others 11, while five of those condemned received two-year reprieves.
• Judges found the syndicate relied on armed control to run scam compounds from 2015 and committed offences including fraud, intentional killing, drug trafficking, illegal casinos and organising prostitution.
• The court said the group killed 14 people, including workers who tried to escape, and described an October 2023 incident in which gunfire was used to prevent captives from being transferred back to China.
• The criminal operations generated more than 10 billion yuan, and the case underscores China’s wider crackdown that has involved joint actions with Southeast Asian partners and the repatriation of thousands.