Myanmar Drafts Death Penalty for Cyberscam Crimes

Myanmar’s military-backed parliament has unveiled draft legislation that would impose the death penalty on those who violently coerce victims into working at online scam centres.

The proposed Anti-Online Scam Bill, published on Thursday, sets out capital punishment for offences involving torture, unlawful detention or cruel treatment aimed at forcing people into internet fraud. Running a scam centre or committing cryptocurrency scams could carry a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

The move comes as cyberscam compounds proliferate across Myanmar’s conflict zones, exploiting instability since the 2021 coup. These fortified sites have become part of Southeast Asia’s booming scam economy, luring workers with promises of high pay while trafficking others into forced labour. Victims in the United States alone lost more than US$20 billion to such schemes last year, according to the FBI.

Community reports and international monitors have long accused Myanmar’s authorities of turning a blind eye to the industry, which has also strained relations with China. Analysts say Beijing is increasingly frustrated by the number of its citizens involved, whether as operators or victims.

The bill is the first major piece of legislation introduced by the new government led by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, who recently assumed the title of civilian president. Critics dismiss the transition as an attempt to rebrand military rule, noting that opposition parties remain excluded from politics and Aung San Suu Kyi is still under detention, albeit moved to house arrest.

Officials say the bill will establish a committee to cooperate with foreign governments in tackling the illicit trade, a gesture seen by observers as an effort to invite international engagement. Parliament is scheduled to debate the measure in early June.

-2026-05-15