On November 8, 2025, a state media documentary in China offered a rare glimpse into the country's justice system. The documentary highlighted the case of Chen Dawei, a member of the notorious Wei family, one of several powerful groups that had long operated with impunity in Laukkaing, a border town in Myanmar.
The documentary featured Chen Dawei being questioned by Chinese investigators. He was shown in a padded cell, handcuffed, and asked about his alleged involvement in ordering the murder of a stranger as an offering to celebrate a bond with a business associate. When asked if he felt anything about the victim, he claimed he "didn't feel much."
This scene is part of a broader propaganda campaign by Chinese officials to warn citizens about the dangers of Southeast Asia's large-scale fraud industry and to showcase the government's efforts to crack down on those responsible. The message is clear: anyone who commits serious crimes against Chinese citizens will face consequences, regardless of who they are or where they are located.
The Wei family, along with the Lius, Mings, and Bais, had become powerful figures in Laukkaing, transforming the town into a hub for casinos and illegal activities. More recently, they established scam operations where people were held against their will and forced to commit online fraud under threat of violence or death. Many of the victims were Chinese citizens.
However, their empires crumbled in 2023 when Myanmar authorities arrested them and handed them over to China. Since then, they have been tried in Chinese courts for various crimes, including fraud, human trafficking, and murder. Several members of the Ming and Bai families have been sentenced to death, while others have received lengthy prison sentences. The Lius and Weis are currently facing prosecution.
The documentary aims to highlight their downfall, showing them in handcuffs and prison uniforms, a stark contrast to their previous lavish lifestyles.
These families rose to power after a military operation led by Min Aung Hlaing, the current head of Myanmar's military government. He sought allies, and Bai Suocheng, a deputy of the previous warlord, was appointed chairman of Laukkaing district. This power vacuum allowed the Wei, Liu, Ming, and Bai families to seize military and political control.
They initially profited from gambling and prostitution, but later expanded into cyber scams, controlling numerous compounds that generated billions of dollars. These scam operations were characterized by violence, with workers subjected to beatings, torture, and starvation.
Many Chinese workers were lured to these centers with promises of lucrative jobs, an attractive prospect given China's economic slowdown and high unemployment. The stories of these scam centers have become well-known in China, impacting tourism and public perception.
While some victims have been rescued, many families are still searching for loved ones who have disappeared into these scam centers. The Chinese government hopes that publicizing these crackdowns will reassure the families of victims and calm public sentiment.
The United Nations estimates that hundreds of thousands of people remain trapped in scam centers globally. A concerning aspect is that many of the organizers are Chinese citizens themselves, damaging China's reputation internationally.
In response, Chinese authorities have been working to eradicate these scam networks, arresting tens of thousands of Chinese nationals involved in cyber scams since 2023. They are also targeting emerging criminal groups, emphasizing that any involvement in such activities will have severe consequences.
Despite the challenges, there is some positive news: reports of cyber scams in China have decreased over the past year, suggesting that these efforts are having an impact. The crackdown has also served to reinforce the importance of security and well-being for Chinese citizens.
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