{
  "id": 12321936,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-06T06:44:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Reuters Business via SCMP",
    "slug": "reuters-business-via-scmp",
    "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": "Chinese state media have released a documentary revealing that Chinese authorities attempted to dissuade powerful families in northern Myanmar from engaging in scam operations three times before a major arrest was made in 2023. The three-part documentary, jointly produced by China's Ministry of Public Security and state broadcaster CCTV, highlights the challenges faced by Chinese authorities in tackling criminal networks and scam groups operating in northern Myanmar. According to the documentary, most groups in the region had been dismantled by the end of the year, with 15 core members of syndicates executed for crimes ranging from murder to fraud and human trafficking. The documentary also points out jurisdictional obstacles as a major challenge for Chinese authorities in combating cross-border scam operations, requiring multiple approaches to pursue criminals. Despite talks with Kokang's four major families, including the Bai, Wei, Liu, and Ming families, progress was not made at the meetings. The Bai family was responsible for fraud and gambling gains exceeding 20 billion yuan (US$2.9 billion), while the Wei family was linked to over 5 billion yuan in fraud-related funds. The documentary also highlights the prevalence of forced labor in scam centers, with up to 120,000 people across Myanmar facing abuse and potential murder. China's efforts to repatriate suspected telecoms fraud offenders, in collaboration with Myanmar authorities, led to 59,000 individuals being returned to China between 2023 and 2026. However, scam activities continue to expand in other parts of Myanmar due to factors such as economic pressure and complicity from the local government.",
  "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": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "South China Morning Post",
        "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",
        "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."
}