{
  "id": 12320478,
  "title": "China tried 3 times to talk crime families out of scam business in Myanmar: state media",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/china-tried-3-times-to-talk-crime-families-out-of-scam-business-in",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T06:44:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3369886/china-tried-3-times-talk-crime-families-out-scam-business-myanmar-state-media"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A new documentary on Chinese state television reveals that China attempted three times to persuade powerful families in northern Myanmar to cease their scam operations before a major police raid in 2023. The documentary, produced jointly by China’s Ministry of Public Security and state broadcaster CCTV, highlights the challenges faced by Chinese authorities in pursuing scam groups operating in the region. Most of the groups were dismantled, with 15 core members executed for crimes ranging from murder to fraud and human trafficking. Telecom and online scams became a major issue in China during the 2010s, with 80 percent of telecom and online fraud crimes involving Chinese nationals committed overseas, including in northern Myanmar. The documentary reveals that the Bai, Wei, Liu, and Ming families constituted the four major families in Kokang, a predominantly ethnic Chinese region bordering Yunnan province in southwestern China. During talks between Chinese representatives and the four families, representatives expressed that if they stopped scamming, they would have nothing to eat. However, the talks were unsuccessful. The documentary also highlights the challenges faced by Chinese authorities in collecting evidence overseas to prosecute perpetrators, as Myanmar authorities were initially uncooperative and ongoing conflict risked destroying evidence. Despite joint operations by Chinese and Myanmar authorities leading to the repatriation of 59,000 suspected telecoms fraud offenders, scam activities continued to expand in other parts of Myanmar.",
  "summary": "China tried three times to persuade powerful families in northern Myanmar to shut down scam operations before Myanmar police made a massive arrest in 2023, according to a new documentary broadcast on Chinese state television. The three-part documentary, which was jointly produced by China’s Ministry of Public Security and state broadcaster CCTV and began airing on Monday, shows obstacles faced by…",
  "key_points": [
    "China attempted three diplomatic efforts to dissuade Myanmar crime families from scam operations.",
    "The documentary focuses on Bai, Wei, Liu, and Ming families in Kokang region.",
    "Despite efforts, talks failed and scam activities persisted in Myanmar."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
        "title": "China tried 3 times to talk crime families out of scam business in Myanmar: state media",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/china-tried-3-times-to-talk-crime-families-out-of-scam-business-in-12321936",
        "published": "2026-10-06T06:44:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}