🔗 Share this article China Sentences High-Profile Myanmar Fraud Mafia Figures to Death Bai Suocheng, Head of the Prominent Clan, Among the Burmese Figures Transferred to China in Recent Times One China's judicial body has condemned several leading individuals of a notorious Burmese mafia to death as Beijing continues its efforts on scam activities in the region. In all, 21 clan members and associates were sentenced of scams, homicide, injury and various crimes, said a official report posted on the court portal. The group is one of a handful of mafias that gained influence in the 2000s and converted the impoverished isolated region of the town into a wealthy hub of gambling establishments and entertainment zones. Over the past few years they turned to fraudulent schemes in which thousands of smuggled workers, a large number of them Chinese, are trapped, abused and forced to scam victims in unlawful operations estimated at billions. Information of the Sentencing Mafia boss Bai Suocheng and his heir the younger Bai were among the group of figures given to execution by the judicial body. Yang Liqiang, Hu Xiaojiang and Chen Guangyi were the other three convicted. Two members of the Bai family syndicate were given suspended death sentences. Five were condemned to permanent incarceration, while nine others were received prison sentences ranging from several years to two decades. This family, who commanded their own militia, created 41 facilities to house their online fraud schemes and betting establishments, authorities stated. Scale of Unlawful Activities Such unlawful activities involved more than 29bn yuan ($4.1bn; over three billion pounds). These activities also caused the fatalities of several Chinese individuals, the suicide of an individual and several injuries, official sources reported. The severe sentences issued by the court are part of China's campaign to eradicate the extensive scam rings in Southeast Asia - and issue a stern message to additional illegal syndicates. Context of the Clans These clans rose to power in the 2000s with the support of a prominent figure - who now leads the country's junta. He had intended to support partners in the town after removing its earlier ruler. Among the clans, the Bais were "the top", the son before told official sources. "At that time, we was the leading in each of the government and military spheres," he remarked in a documentary about the clan, aired on Chinese state media in July. In the same report, a employee at one of illegal operations described the abuse he had endured there: besides being beaten, he had his fingernails extracted with instruments and a couple of his fingers severed with a kitchen knife. More Allegations The son is included in those who were condemned to execution in the latest ruling. He has also been independently convicted of organizing to smuggle and make 11 tonnes of methamphetamine, official sources reported. Downfall of the Groups Their downfall came in recent times as circumstances shifted. Previously Beijing has encouraged the local government to rein in scam operations in Laukkaing. Last year, the Chinese police announced legal actions for the most prominent figures of these groups. The patriarch, the Bai family's patriarch, was included in the figures who were extradited to China from Myanmar in recent months. "Why is the authorities making significant resources to pursue the groups?" a expert commented in the summer film. The purpose is to caution groups, no matter your identity, your base, as long as you carry out these terrible crimes against the citizens, you will face consequences."