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One Chinese court has sentenced a group of leading members of a well-known Myanmar mafia to capital punishment as Chinese authorities persists in its efforts on fraudulent operations in Southeast Asian region.

Overall, 21 clan members and associates were sentenced of fraud, homicide, assault and additional offenses, stated a state media report posted on the court website.

The group is among a few of organized crime groups that rose to power in the last two decades and transformed the poor backwater town of Laukkaing into a profitable hub of gambling establishments and nightlife areas.

In recent years they turned to illegal operations in which thousands of trafficked people, a large number of them from China, are ensnared, abused and compelled to defraud victims in criminal enterprises valued at huge sums.

Information of the Sentencing

Syndicate head Bai Suocheng and his son the younger Bai were among the group of individuals sentenced to execution by the judicial body. Another individual, A third figure and Chen Guangyi were the remaining convicted.

A couple of members of the clan mafia were handed suspended death sentences. Five were given to life imprisonment, while additional individuals were received jail sentences ranging from several years to two decades.

The clan, who controlled their own armed group, created forty-one compounds to accommodate their digital scam activities and betting establishments, authorities said.

Magnitude of Unlawful Schemes

These unlawful enterprises entailed more than twenty-nine billion local currency (over four billion dollars; over three billion pounds). They also resulted in the demise of several from China nationals, the suicide of one and numerous injuries, official sources stated.

The strict punishments issued by the judicial body are a component of the Chinese campaign to remove the vast scam networks in South East Asia - and deliver a stern message to other unlawful syndicates.

History of the Families

These families rose to power in the early 2000s with the assistance of a prominent figure - who currently heads the country's junta. He had wanted to support associates in Laukkaing after ousting its previous leader.

Within the clans, the Bais were "absolutely number one", the son earlier told state media.

Back then, our Bai family was the leading in each of the government and military spheres," he remarked in a film about the clan, shown on official channels in the summer.

Within that documentary, a employee at their illegal operations described the mistreatment he had experienced there: besides being hit, he had his fingernails yanked out with pliers and two of his fingers cut off with a blade.

More Allegations

Bai Yingcang is included in those who were sentenced to death this week. He has also been separately sentenced of planning to smuggle and produce 11 tonnes of methamphetamine, official sources stated.

Decline of the Clans

The families' fall came in last year as political winds shifted.

Over a long period Beijing has encouraged the Myanmar junta to rein in fraudulent operations in Laukkaing.

Recently, the authorities issued legal actions for the most prominent individuals of such groups.

Bai Suocheng, the clan's patriarch, was included in the figures who were handed to Beijing from the country in the beginning of the year.

For what reason is the authorities making significant resources to go after the clans?" a official stated in the summer report.

The purpose is to caution individuals, regardless of your identity, your location, when you engage in such serious acts affecting the nationals, you will pay the price."