Myanmar Parliament Passes Crypto Scam Bill With Life Imprisonment Penalties

Myanmar's Parliament approved an anti-online scam bill on Tuesday that imposes prison terms of 10 years to life for cryptocurrency scams and operating online scam centers. The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, Myanmar's combined Parliament, passed the legislation after resolving differences between versions previously approved by its two chambers, according to state-run Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM). The bill represents Myanmar's latest effort to curb a growing cyberscam industry that has turned parts of the country into hubs for online fraud.

Pyidaungsu Hluttaw Approves Anti-Scam Legislation on Tuesday

The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approved the bill in its entirety on Tuesday after resolving differences between versions previously passed by its two chambers, according to GNLM. The report did not state whether the bill had received presidential assent or when it would take effect. Lower House MP Aye Chan stated that the final version retained the death-penalty provision and that there were no significant changes to the draft's important provisions, according to a Strait Times report citing Agence France-Presse. The final amended text was not immediately available.

Bill Imposes 10 Years to Life Imprisonment for Crypto Scams

The legislation prohibits cryptocurrency scams and imposes penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment for operating online scam centers. The bill also allows sentences of 10 years to life or capital punishment for violence, torture, unlawful arrest or detention used to force people into online scams. The death penalty is required when such conduct causes death.

May Draft Included Death Penalty for Violence in Scam Operations

A draft of the bill was published in May, prohibiting crypto scams and imposing penalties ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment. The draft allowed sentences of 10 years to life or capital punishment for violence, torture, unlawful arrest or detention used to force people into online scams, with the death penalty required when the conduct causes death. The final version retained the death-penalty provision according to Lower House MP Aye Chan.

FAQ

What penalties does Myanmar's anti-scam bill impose for crypto scams? The bill imposes prison terms of 10 years to life imprisonment for cryptocurrency scams and operating online scam centers.

When did Myanmar's Parliament approve the anti-online scam bill? The Pyidaungsu Hluttaw approved the bill on Tuesday after resolving differences between versions previously passed by its two chambers, according to state-run Global New Light of Myanmar.