17 Indicted in China for Cross-Border Fraud and Human Trafficking in Myanmar

A cross-border criminal gang has been indicted by the Shanghai Procuratorate for 17 suspects involved in fraud and human trafficking. The gang lured victims, mainly Chinese citizens, with the promise of high-paying jobs abroad and then kidnapped and took them to Myanmar's Mo Soe, where they were forced to engage in online fraud. Victims suffered greatly, including beatings, abuse, rape, and even forced prostitution. This case is closely related to the high-profile case of Chinese actor Wang Xing being abducted in early 2021. Thai police have previously arrested and handed over 10 suspects to China. It is not yet clear if these 10 people are included in the 17 defendants indicted this time. The procuratorate's report has not yet disclosed the nationalities of the defendants. According to current Chinese law, crimes such as selling women, kidnapping, and aggravated robbery can be punished with up to life imprisonment or even the death penalty. In recent years, China has stepped up its law enforcement cooperation with Southeast Asian countries to crack down on cross-border telefraud and human trafficking crimes.