Myanmar Proposes Life Sentences for Cryptocurrency Scammers
On May 14, Myanmar’s military put forward a draft bill that proposes life sentences for individuals involved in cryptocurrency scams.
Summary
- The Anti-Online Scam Bill in Myanmar proposes life imprisonment for those operating digital currency scams.
- The legislation permits the death penalty for individuals using violence, torture, or illegal detention to force victims into scam activities.
- The military-aligned parliament in Myanmar plans to reconvene in the first week of June to continue discussions on this bill.
Named the Anti-Online Scam Bill, the draft specifies that those found guilty of “digital currency fraud” or running an online scam center could face sentences ranging from ten years to life imprisonment.
The bill also permits capital punishment for individuals who use “violence, torture, unlawful arrest, detention, or cruel treatment” to compel others into participating in online scams.
Military bill targets digital currency fraud with harsh penalties
The parliament, deemed by analysts as a rubber-stamping body, is scheduled to meet in the first week of June.
This bill marks the first legislative move by the new government under coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, who assumed office last month.
Internet fraud rings have become a significant regional concern. According to the FBI’s latest crime report, losses from cryptocurrency fraud in the U.S. reached $11.4 billion, with over 50% of online crime losses tied to crypto schemes. Many of these operations are based in Southeast Asia.
U.S. authorities have noted increased enforcement actions. In April 2026, the DOJ seized $701 million in cryptocurrency linked to global scam networks, specifically identifying operations in Myanmar and Cambodia that exploit trafficked or coerced individuals for large-scale fraud.
The scale of operations in Myanmar is well-documented. Chainalysis revealed that romance scammers operating from the KK Park compound in Myawaddy alone extracted nearly $100 million in cryptocurrency from victims around the world between 2022 and 2024.
This bill reflects a regional trend. In March 2026, Cambodia enacted anti-fraud laws imposing prison terms of up to ten years for leaders of scams. Singapore is also preparing to establish a dedicated Cyber Command enforcement unit by July 2026.