According to reporting by Myanmar’s official media outlet, the Global New Light of Myanmar (GNLM), the Union Parliament (Pyidaungsu Hluttaw) on July 28 has fully approved the anti-cybercrime law. The law provides for 10 years to life imprisonment for cryptocurrency scams and for operating online scam centers. For offenses that use violence, torture, unlawful arrest, or detention to force others to participate in cyber scams, the punishment can be 10 years to life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Criminal Penalty Provisions of Myanmar’s Anti-Cybercrime Law
According to the draft law (released in May) and statements by Lower House lawmaker Than Aye Zhin, the law’s main sentencing structure is as follows:
Cryptocurrency scams and operating scam centers: 10 years to life imprisonment
Forcing others to participate in cyber scams using violence/torture/unlawful arrest/detention: 10 years to life imprisonment or death penalty
Forcing acts that result in the death of others: the death penalty must be imposed
Lower House lawmaker Than Aye Zhin said, as cited by The Straits Times, quoting Agence France-Presse, that the final version retains the death penalty provisions and that key clauses in the draft law “have not changed significantly.”
Background and Applicability Limits: Final Text Not Yet Released, Effective Date and Presidential Approval Pending Clarification
According to the Global New Light of Myanmar and related reports, this round of legislation is the latest attempt by Myanmar to curb an increasingly rampant cyber scam industry, with parts of Myanmar already being identified as hotspots for cyber scams.
However, the following key details are still pending clarification: the final amended text has not yet been published, and the specific wording of cryptocurrency-related penalties “cannot be independently verified.” The reports did not mention whether the law has been approved by the president, and the effective date has also not been clearly stated.
FAQ
When was Myanmar’s anti-cybercrime law passed, and what are the main penalties?
According to reporting by the Global New Light of Myanmar, Myanmar’s Union Parliament on Tuesday (July 28, 2026) fully approved the law. The main penalties include life imprisonment for cryptocurrency scams up to the death penalty, and those who force others to participate in scams may be sentenced to death. Meanwhile, those whose forced acts result in death must be sentenced to death.
Does the law retain death penalty provisions?
According to reporting by The Straits Times citing Agence France-Presse, Lower House lawmaker Than Aye Zhin said that the final version retains the death penalty provisions and that the key clauses in the draft have not changed significantly.
When will Myanmar’s anti-scam law officially take effect?
According to available reporting, the final amended text has not yet been published. The reports do not mention whether the law has been approved by the president, nor do they specify the effective date; the timing will depend on official announcements from the Myanmar government.
