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Burma's government approves death penalty for internet scammers, 3 months after FBI's $8 billion crypto crackdown, with estimated scam losses reaching $114
Burma's government has approved the death penalty as punishment for internet scammers, just months after the FBI announced a sweeping $8 billion crackdown on scam networks coming from the country [1]. The Anti-Online Scam Law, which was passed by the country's parliament, mandates the death penalty for anyone who participates in a scam in which they "commit violence, torture, unlawfully arrest or detain, or treat any person in a cruel manner" [2].
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Death Penalty | Approved for violent online scam crimes |
| Scam Losses | Estimated $114 billion in 2025 |
| FBI Crackdown | $8 billion crypto crackdown in May |
| New Law | First legislation passed under Min Aung Hlaing's government |
The new law is a significant development in Burma's efforts to combat online scams, which have become a major problem in the country [3]. The law also mandates 10 years in prison for any instance of forced labor in relation to cybercrime, and life imprisonment for those who run online scam centers or commit digital currency scams [4]. The legislation is the first law passed by the government of Min Aung Hlaing, who led the 2021 coup and took office as civilian president in April [3].
The move to approve the death penalty for online scammers is seen as a response to the growing problem of online scams in Burma, which have targeted victims around the world [1]. The FBI's $8 billion crypto crackdown in May was a major operation that resulted in the seizure of 127,000 Bitcoin, worth over $8 billion as of July [1]. The crackdown was aimed at a criminal network in Burma known as the "Democratic Karen Benevolent Army," which had been targeting Americans in their operations [1].
The approval of the death penalty for online scammers in Burma is a significant development that highlights the growing concern about online scams and cybercrime in the region [2]. As the international community continues to grapple with the issue of online scams, it remains to be seen how effective the new law will be in combating the problem [4].
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AI-assisted synthesis by the TrendWatcher Editorial Desk · sourced from 4 outlets · Jul 29, 2026 · How we report
A Crypto Scam involving an ATM typically begins when a fraudster contacts a victim, posing as a bank or fraud representative to create a sense of urgency. The scammer convinces the victim to withdraw cash and deposit it into a cryptocurrency ATM, falsely claiming the funds will be moved to a secure account.
A Crypto Scam classified as a wallet drainer is a phishing-based fraud where attackers trick users into connecting their digital wallets to malicious websites. Once connected, the user is prompted to sign transactions that grant the attacker permission to siphon tokens from the wallet.
Crypto Scam funds are difficult to recover because cryptocurrency transactions are often finalized very quickly and are typically irreversible. This speed makes it challenging for law enforcement or financial institutions to track the movement of stolen assets and return them to the victim.
To protect against a Crypto Scam, the FBI recommends independently verifying the identity of anyone contacting you and never sharing personal information with unsolicited callers. Additionally, users should treat any pressure to act immediately as a warning sign and consult a trusted person before transferring money.