Myanmar Proposes Death Penalty for Cybercrime Offenses

The military-led government of Myanmar has introduced a parliamentary bill proposing the death penalty for specific cybercrime offenses, particularly those involving violent coercion related to online scams. This draft legislation was presented on Thursday and targets individuals involved in detaining, torturing, and forcibly recruiting victims to work in online scam centers.

The proposed anti-online scam law includes capital punishment for acts involving violence, unlawful detention, and cruel treatment of victims forced to participate in online scams. The bill also recommends life imprisonment for operators of scam centers engaged in cryptocurrency-related fraud.

Reports indicate that online scam operations have rapidly increased in Myanmar amid ongoing conflict and instability, with criminal networks allegedly trafficking victims to carry out internet fraud schemes targeting people worldwide. The global concern over the scam industry in Myanmar has been highlighted, with losses amounting to billions of dollars for victims, including individuals in the United States.

The military-backed parliament is expected to review the bill in its next session in June, although analysts express concerns regarding the military's influence on the legislature following the 2021 coup.