Friday, July 17, 2026

China executes 11 Yahoo Boys part of Myanmar scam mafia 

The executions followed years of complaints by relatives of trafficked scam centre workers. 

, and • January 29, 2026
Cyber fraudster
Cyber fraudster [Photo Credit: FE Week]

China has executed 11 members of the notorious Ming family criminal gang, who were sentenced to death in September 2025 for homicide, illegal detention, and internet fraud, in Myanmar.

The Wenzhou City Intermediate People’s Court announced the executions in a statement on Thursday.

The suspects, among whom are Ming Guoping, Ming Zhenzhen, Zhou Weichang, Wu Hongming, and Luao Jianzhang, held prominent positions within Myanmar’s ruling junta and ran hundreds of mafia-like scam centres involved in prostitution and drug production. They were also convicted of killing 14 Chinese citizens.

Two of the defendants, who were part of a crime syndicate worth over $1 billion in just eight years before their arrest and detention in 2013, appealed to the Supreme People’s Court, which upheld the verdict of the lower court.

While Mr Ming Xuechang, a former member of the country’s state parliament, had earlier killed himself in custody, his son, Ming Guoping, a leader in the junta-aligned Kokang Border Guard Force, and his granddaughter, Ming Zhenzhen, were among those executed, after their relatives were allowed to meet them one final time.

The executions followed years of complaints by relatives of trafficked scam centre workers and growing international media attention before Beijing authorities, in 2023, cracked down on the compounds run by family head Ming Xuechang.

One of the infamous compounds, called Crouching Tiger Villa in Kokang, is located on Myanmar’s border with China, and the group reportedly had about 10,000 workers carrying out fraudulent activities.

Authorities had, in November 2025, issued arrest warrants for members of the family over fraud, murder, and trafficking, while offering rewards of between $14,000 and $70,000 for their capture.

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Rotimi Amaechi and Mary Amaechi

States

ADC mourns Amaechi’s mother

The African Democratic Congress expressed condolences to its vice-presidential candidate, Rotimi Amaechi, following the death of his mother, Mary Amaechi.

RMRDC Logo

Economy

RMRDC to boost research culture, drive diversification

RMRDC says it aims to fuel innovation, industrial growth and economic diversification by overhauling its research culture template.

Armed Policemen

States

Police say bandit attacks foiled in Sokoto

The police command in Sokoto says it has foiled several bandit attacks, neutralised scores of criminals and recorded significant successes against violent crimes across the state.

Sola Enikanolaiye

Africa

Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire seek stronger bilateral cooperation

Nigeria and Côte d’Ivoire have agreed to review existing bilateral agreements, assess their implementation and explore new areas of cooperation.

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo

Abuja

Former VP Osinbajo explains how Nigeria can move forward

The former vice-president added that the greatest legacy in leadership was not what was accumulated but what was contributed to make life better for all.

2026 International Museum Day

States

FG reaffirms commitment to modernising Nigeria’s museums

Defence minister Christopher Musa called on citizens to cherish their heritage and work together against forces that want to divide them.