The military-backed parliament of Myanmar has passed the Anti-Online Scam Bill aimed at combating online fraud and scam operations. Union Parliament Speaker Aung Lin Dwe announced that the bill was approved on July 28 during a joint session of both houses in Naypyidaw, according to reports from AFP.
In a statement to the agency, lawmaker Ai Chan confirmed that the approved version of the legislation includes a provision for the death penalty. The bill, initially proposed in May, stipulated punishments ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment for acts of violence, torture, unlawful detention, or mistreatment intended to coerce individuals into online scams. If such actions resulted in the victim's death, the bill prescribed the death penalty.
Additionally, Decrypt highlighted that the May draft indicated life imprisonment as the maximum punishment for operators of scam centers and those involved in cryptocurrency fraud.
Myanmar's official channels reported in June that the lower house approved the bill following amendments from the upper house and the Legislative Committee.
Context
In September 2025, the U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions on nine entities in Myanmar and ten in Cambodia for their involvement in cryptocurrency-related fraud schemes.
One of the largest centers for internet scammers, known as KK Park, has been notorious for deceiving individuals through fake investment and romantic schemes. In October, nearly 700 people escaped from the facility after a raid, successfully crossing the Moei River into Thailand.
Such operations are prevalent along Myanmar's border due to the ongoing civil war. Authorities had previously attempted to combat these scams by shutting down internet access in border areas. However, an investigation by AFP revealed that the construction of these centers continued, with operators increasingly utilizing Starlink satellite internet for connectivity.
In May 2026, the FBI announced the seizure of over 127,000 BTC, valued at approximately $8 billion, during an international operation targeting scam centers and related networks. Raids were conducted across Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, resulting in nearly 300 arrests and the liberation of around 2,000 individuals.
For further insights into the nature of digital slavery in Myanmar, the individuals behind the fraudulent factories, and the role of cryptocurrencies in these schemes, ForkLog has published a dedicated article.