(ECNS) — Chinese police have dismantled a major cross-border telecom fraud network led by Xu Faqi, also known as "Xu Laofa," based in Kokang, northern Myanmar. Authorities say the syndicate was responsible for more than 3,400 cases involving illicit gains exceeding 1.1 billion yuan.
The crackdown was part of a broader campaign targeting cross-border crimes affecting Chinese nationals in northern Myanmar. Joint law enforcement efforts between China and Myanmar have led to the arrest of more than 57,000 suspects linked to telecom fraud. From Sept. 17 to 19, the Chongqing No. 5 Intermediate People's Court held the first trial of the criminal group led by Xu Faqi.
The investigation began in September 2023. In December that year, Xu was placed on a public wanted list after authorities obtained substantial evidence of his group's criminal operations. On Jan. 30, 2024, Myanmar police captured Xu and handed him over to Chinese authorities through the bilateral law enforcement cooperation mechanism.
Despite ongoing conflict in northern Myanmar, Chinese investigators worked closely with their Myanmar counterparts, gathering crucial evidence and uncovering extensive criminal activity. More than 300 officers were mobilized across 18 provinces in China to assist in the probe.
Investigators found that since 2019, Xu Faqi has leveraged his local influence in Kokang, northern Myanmar, to collaborate with telecom fraud syndicates. He is accused of building or leasing 14 compounds used to organize large-scale online scams targeting Chinese citizens.
Xu allegedly commanded over 400 armed personnel to protect these compounds and allowed financiers to violently control workers, including cases of assault, abuse, and even murder of individuals who failed to meet fraud quotas. The syndicate is accused of multiple crimes, including fraud, intentional injury, unlawful detention, and extortion.
(By Evelyn)
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