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Myanmar parliament passes crypto scam bill with penalties up to life
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- DeepHorus
Myanmar's Parliament has passed a sweeping anti-online scam bill that introduces prison terms of 10 years to life for cryptocurrency scams and operating scam centers, marking the country's most aggressive move yet against a booming cyber-fraud industry. The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Myanmar's combined Parliament, approved the bill in its entirety on Tuesday after resolving differences between versions previously passed by its two chambers, according to the state-run Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM). The report did not specify whether the bill has received presidential assent or when it will take effect, leaving a key implementation detail uncertain.
Myanmar has become a global hub for online scam operations, particularly in border regions where criminal networks run large-scale fraud centers targeting victims worldwide. The legislation is the latest attempt to curb this growing industry, which has drawn scrutiny from international law enforcement agencies. A draft of the bill was published in May, prohibiting crypto scams and imposing penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment for offenders.
The bill also includes severe provisions for violence or coercion used to force individuals into online scams. It authorizes sentences of 10 years to life or capital punishment for conduct such as unlawful arrest, detention, torture, or violence against victims. The death penalty is mandated when such conduct causes death, according to the draft. Lower House MP Aye Chan confirmed to Agence France-Presse that the final version retains the death-penalty provision, noting no significant changes to the draft's important provisions.
The legislation addresses a critical gap in Myanmar's legal framework, as scam centers have operated with relative impunity. These enterprises often employ trafficked workers under inhumane conditions, generating billions of dollars in illicit revenue. A related Interpol operation recently exposed a $122 million crypto wallet tied to romance scam laundering, underscoring the scale of the problem. The new law aims to disrupt these networks by targeting both operators and facilitators of crypto scams.
Human rights groups have raised concerns about the bill's death penalty clause, arguing it could be misused against vulnerable individuals forced into scams. However, lawmakers like MP Aye Chan have defended the measure as necessary to deter the most egregious abuses. The final amended text was not immediately available, making it difficult to assess potential safeguards.
Looking ahead, the bill's impact will depend on enforcement capacity and judicial consistency. Myanmar's strained legal system, compounded by the ongoing civil conflict, may struggle to implement the new penalties effectively. International cooperation will be crucial, as many scam operations involve cross-border elements. The bill signals a firm stance, but its success in curbing the multi-billion-dollar scam industry remains to be seen.
