Myanmar authorities have published a draft law that would introduce the death penalty for individuals who unlawfully detain, torture or force people to work in online scam centres.
The proposal targets so-called “scam factories” operating across Southeast Asia. These centres are involved in romance scams, fake investment schemes and cryptocurrency fraud targeting victims around the world.
According to the draft law, the problem has worsened because of Myanmar's civil war. The instability has allowed organized criminal groups to establish fortified compounds where people are held against their will and forced to commit online fraud.
The bill also proposes life imprisonment for operators of scam centres, as well as for individuals involved in cryptocurrency scams. In addition, it calls for the creation of a special committee to strengthen international cooperation in combating this criminal industry.
According to the FBI, victims in the United States alone lost more than US$20 billion to such schemes last year.
Source:
Channel NewsAsia. Myanmar proposes death sentence for cyberscam offences.
