Myanmar parliament passes crypto scam bill with penalties up to life

Myanmar’s Parliament, known as the Pyidaungsu Hluttaw, has passed an anti-online scam bill that imposes severe penalties, including prison terms ranging from 10 years up to life imprisonment, specifically targeting cryptocurrency scams and the operation of online scam centers. The bill was approved after resolving differences between the versions previously passed by the two parliamentary chambers. However, it is not yet clear whether the bill has received presidential approval or when exactly it will come into effect.

The legislation is part of Myanmar’s broader effort to address the expanding issue of cyberscams within the country, which has become a hub for online fraud. The draft bill, initially published in May, also includes harsh penalties—ranging from 10 years to life imprisonment and even capital punishment—for acts of violence, torture, or unlawful detention used to coerce individuals into participating in online scams. The death penalty is mandated if these actions result in death.

According to a report cited by the Strait Times and Agence France-Presse, a Lower House Member of Parliament, Aye Chan, confirmed that the death penalty provisions remain intact in the final adopted version of the bill. Nonetheless, the precise language of the cybercrime-related penalties in the finalized text has not been made publicly available, leaving some details unconfirmed.

This legislative move signals Myanmar’s intensified crackdown on online financial crimes, particularly those involving cryptocurrency, which have been increasingly linked to fraudulent schemes. Cointelegraph highlights the importance of accurate and timely reporting, and encourages readers to verify ongoing developments independently.