Myanmar’s Parliament has approved a new law allowing the death penalty for individuals who violently detain or force victims to work in online scam centres.
The Anti-Online Scam Bill was passed after lawmakers approved amendments to the draft legislation during a parliamentary session in Naypyidaw. Parliament Speaker Aung Lin Dwe announced the approval during a live television broadcast.
Lawmaker Aye Chan said only minor amendments were made to the bill, adding that its key provisions remained unchanged.
Under the new law, offenders who use violence, torture, unlawful detention or other cruel treatment to force people into carrying out online scams face prison sentences ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, with the death penalty applicable in the most serious cases. Those whose actions result in a victim’s death will face capital punishment.
The legislation also imposes a maximum sentence of life imprisonment on those who operate online scam compounds or engage in cryptocurrency-related fraud.
Online scam operations have flourished in war-torn Myanmar, targeting internet users worldwide through romance scams and cryptocurrency investment fraud. While some individuals joined voluntarily, many foreign nationals rescued from scam compounds have reported being trafficked, held against their will and subjected to torture.
The anti-scam legislation is the first law passed under Myanmar’s new government led by former junta chief Min Aung Hlaing.
