Myanmar’s military-backed parliament in Naypyidaw has approved an Online Fraud Prevention Bill that allows courts to impose a mandatory death sentence in cases where victims die after being abducted, detained, tortured or otherwise forced to work in online scam operations.

The bill was approved by both houses of parliament during a Union Parliament session on 28 July, according to parliamentary speaker Aung Lin Dwe, who announced the decision during a live broadcast of the proceedings.

Under Article 47 of the bill, anyone who uses violence, torture, unlawful detention or other inhumane treatment to force a person to participate in online scam operations faces a prison sentence ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment, or the death penalty.

The law further stipulates that if such acts result in the victim’s death, the death penalty must be imposed.

The legislation does not prescribe the death penalty for all online scam offences. Operators of online scam centres, including those involved in fraud schemes using digital or cryptocurrency transactions, face a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, according to the bill.

The law also establishes a Central Committee for Combating Online Fraud, chaired by the Minister of Home Affairs, along with regional and state-level committees and a dedicated national anti-scam enforcement agency.

Authorities will be empowered to temporarily freeze financial transactions linked to online fraud, facilitate information-sharing among banks, financial institutions, telecommunications companies and government agencies, and seize equipment and assets connected to scam operations.

Home Affairs Minister Nyunt Win Swe submitted the draft legislation to parliament on 3 June, saying it was intended to prevent online scam operations from taking root in Myanmar and to strengthen cooperation with foreign governments in combating transnational crime.

The legislation is the first law enacted by Myanmar’s military-backed government and parliament formed under the current political framework.

Myanmar has become a major hub for transnational online scam syndicates, particularly in Myawaddy, Laukkai and other areas along the Thailand–Myanmar border. The criminal networks have defrauded victims worldwide through romance scams, investment fraud and cryptocurrency schemes worth billions of dollars.

According to United Nations estimates, as many as 120,000 people may be working in scam compounds across Myanmar. Many are believed to have been trafficked through fraudulent job offers and later subjected to threats, violence and torture before being forced to carry out online fraud.

Despite repeated crackdowns, satellite imagery and independent investigations indicate that scam compounds continue to operate—and in some areas are still expanding—in territories controlled by the Myanmar military and its allied armed groups. The authorities have not explained how the new law will be enforced in those areas.