Myanmar Passes Anti-Online Scam Law with Death Penalty Provisions

Myanmar’s parliament has approved an Online Anti-Fraud Bill imposing severe penalties, rapid financial controls and expanded oversight powers, as the government steps up efforts to curb the billion-dollar cyber fraud industry in the country.

The bill was passed on Tuesday (28 July) at a joint session of the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw in Naypyidaw, according to the government-run Global New Light of Myanmar.

Parliament Speaker Aung Lin Dwe announced that members had approved the legislation in full after resolving provisions disputed between the two chambers.

According to the draft text published in May in the government newspaper, under the law the authorities must establish a 24-hour emergency telephone hotline and an online complaint system for victims.

Banks may freeze accounts suspected of involvement in fraud within 15 minutes of verification, while suspicious accounts may be suspended for up to 72 hours.

Victims must report cases within 24 hours, and police are required to register a First Information Report immediately.

The bill also requires banks, mobile payment providers, telecommunications operators and internet service providers to exchange data through a centralised database.

The system will monitor bank accounts, SIM cards, IP addresses, call records and financial flows in real time.

Those found operating scam centres, perpetrating cryptocurrency fraud, recruiting workers or trafficking people into fraud operations face penalties ranging from 10 years in prison to life imprisonment.

Violence, torture or unlawful detention linked to fraud operations may carry life imprisonment or the death penalty, with the death penalty mandatory where such actions result in death.

The law comes as fraud compounds spread across conflict-ridden Myanmar, where trafficked workers have reported abuse and forced labour.

Source: Anadolu