Life Imprisonment Penalties Introduced in Myanmar's New Cryptocurrency Fraud Legislation
Legislators in Myanmar have given approval to legislation targeting online fraud operations, with the proposed draft outlining sentences ranging from a decade to life imprisonment for those involved in cryptocurrency scams and fraudulent center operations.
Legislators in Myanmar have given their approval to legislation designed to combat online fraud operations, establishing prison sentences spanning from 10 years to life imprisonment for individuals engaged in cryptocurrency fraud schemes and the management of fraudulent online operations.
On Tuesday, the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, which serves as Myanmar's unified parliamentary body, granted approval to the complete bill following the resolution of discrepancies between iterations that had been previously endorsed by both legislative chambers, as documented by the state-operated Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM). The publication did not provide information regarding whether the legislation had obtained presidential approval or specify a date for its implementation.
This legislative measure represents Myanmar's most recent effort to combat an expanding cyberscam sector that has transformed certain regions of the nation into centers for digital fraud activities.
When a draft version of the legislation was made public in May, it specifically outlawed cryptocurrency fraud operations and established punishments spanning from 10 years imprisonment to life sentences. The bill additionally permits sentences ranging from 10 years to life incarceration or execution for acts of violence, torture, illegal arrest or unlawful detention employed to coerce individuals into participating in online fraud schemes, with capital punishment being mandatory in cases where such conduct results in death.
Based on reporting from the Strait Times, which referenced Agence France-Presse, Lower House MP Aye Chan indicated that the finalized version maintained the capital punishment provision and that no substantial modifications were made to the critical provisions within the draft.
Since the final revised text was not made immediately accessible, the specific language concerning the penalties related to cryptocurrency violations could not be verified independently.