Myanmar approves death penalty for scam center operators

Key facts

• Myanmar's military-backed parliament passed the Anti-Online Scam Bill, allowing the death penalty for those involved in online scam centers.
• The law imposes life imprisonment for running scam centers or committing digital currency scams.
• The death penalty can be imposed if victims die due to violence or unlawful detention related to scam operations.
• This is the first law passed under Min Aung Hlaing's new government.
• The UNODC estimates scam losses across the region reached $88.3 billion to $114.1 billion in 2025.

Myanmar's military-backed parliament has passed the Anti-Online Scam Bill, introducing the death penalty for individuals who use violence or unlawful detention to force others into operating online scam centers. If such abuse leads to a victim's death, the death penalty will be imposed. The bill also mandates life imprisonment for running scam centers or committing digital currency scams. This legislation marks the first law enacted under the government of Min Aung Hlaing, who assumed the presidency after leading the 2021 coup. The UNODC estimates that scam operations across East Asia, Southeast Asia, and Oceania resulted in losses between $88.3 billion and $114.1 billion in 2025, with individuals from at least 80 countries found within scam compounds. The U.S. Treasury has previously sanctioned the Karen National Army, citing its territory as a hub for cyber scam syndicates.