Myanmar Cracks Down on Online Scams with Tough New Crypto Laws

Myanmar's parliament has approved a bill aimed at combating online scams and cryptocurrency-related fraud. The Anti-Online Scam Bill, passed on July 28, targets digital currency fraud, online scam centers, forced labor for scams, and the infrastructure supporting these networks.

The bill also establishes new enforcement bodies and cross-border coordination powers to pursue scam operations. According to the May draft of the bill, those operating a scam center or committing digital currency fraud could face prison terms of 10 years to life.

Human Rights Myanmar has expressed concerns about the bill's provisions, including the death penalty for scam-related killings and the lack of independent oversight. The group warns that the law's surveillance powers could target journalists and political opponents.