Online fraud is growing and developing, driven by the public's lack of awareness of the dangers and personal greed. In Malaysia, every day there is news of victims losing hundreds of thousands by investing in online schemes that promise multiple returns in a short period of time. This week, China sentenced to death five members of an online fraud syndicate based in Myanmar.
The five were found guilty of an online fraud syndicate and human trafficking by the Shenzhen Intermediate People's Court that caused the deaths of six Chinese citizens and dozens of others to be injured. The victims were believed to have lucrative jobs in Myanmar but were later forced into slavery to carry out online fraud. The syndicate members were arrested by Myanmar authorities before being handed over to Chinese authorities for trial.
The head of the clandestine family Bai Suocheng and his son Bai Yingcang are among the five who are now facing the death penalty. Meanwhile, 15 other syndicate members were sentenced to life imprisonment, 20 years and three years, respectively, for their crimes.
In addition to online fraud, this syndicate is also involved in prostitution, drug trafficking and online casinos. The syndicate, which is masterminded by the Bai Family secret society, is believed to have successfully swindled RMB 29 billion (~RM 17 billion) from its victims.
