Burma's government has approved the death penalty as a punishment for internet scammers involved in violence or torture, a move that follows a major FBI crackdown on scam networks originating from the country. The new legislation, titled the Anti-Online Scam Law, was passed by parliament this week.

Under the law, individuals who participate in scams and commit acts of violence, torture, unlawful arrest or detention, or cruel treatment of any person can face the death penalty. For offenses related to forced labor within cybercrime operations, the law mandates a 10-year prison sentence. The law's passage aligns with the United Nations International Organization for Migration's World Day Against Trafficking in Persons on July 30, which this year focuses on the theme "Trapped Behind the Scam."

Burma has become a focal point for digital scam operations, where criminals often lure migrants from other Asian countries with false promises of legitimate employment. Once in the country, these individuals are frequently held captive and forced to participate in scam activities.

In May, the FBI announced the disruption of a large criminal network in Burma, reportedly linked to Chinese organized crime, which had been targeting Americans. This operation led to the seizure of 127,000 Bitcoin, valued at over $8 billion as of July. Authorities reported that this network had extracted more than $3 million from at least one elderly American victim.

In 2025, a multinational effort involving Chinese, Thai, and Burmese authorities resulted in the liberation of over 7,000 people from scam compounds in Burma. The United Nations estimates that scams in the South Pacific region resulted in losses exceeding $114 billion in 2025.

The International Organization for Migration has stated that individuals trapped in these scam compounds are victims of trafficking and are forced to commit crimes through coercion and threats. The organization advocates for their protection rather than punishment and emphasizes the need for international cooperation to combat these criminal networks.