The military government of Myanmar has released the text of an Anti-Online Fraud Bill that imposes severe penalties for digital currency fraud, including life imprisonment and the death penalty. The bill, made public on Thursday, targets online fraud that threatens the country's sovereignty and stability. Convicted individuals face 10 years to life in prison, with the death penalty applicable in cases involving death of coerced or exploited victims in scam centers. This proposal is among the harshest globally for crypto fraud, amid rising scam centers in Southeast Asia. In January, China reportedly ordered the execution of 11 people linked to Myanmar scam centers trafficking Chinese nationals. International authorities, including the US, have been cracking down on human trafficking and fraud in these centers. Myanmar's parliament, which has not reconvened since the 2021 coup, is scheduled to consider the bill in early June. The proposal comes as Americans lost over $11 billion to crypto scams in 2025, according to an FBI report, prompting US executive orders to combat scam centers and cybercrime.

Key facts

• Myanmar's Anti-Online Fraud Bill proposes life imprisonment or death for digital currency fraud.
• Death penalty applies if a coerced or exploited victim dies in a scam center.
• The bill is among the world's harshest penalties for crypto-related fraud.
• China executed 11 people linked to Myanmar scam centers in January 2025.
• Americans lost over $11 billion to crypto scams in 2025, per FBI.