Chinese crime syndicates operating in Southeast Asia may have ties to the Chinese communist regime, according to China watchers. These syndicates, known for running an internet scam called “pig butchering,” use trafficked “cyber slaves” to scam internet users in countries bordering southern China.
A report titled “A Criminal Cancer Spreads in Southeast Asia,” released by the United States Institute of Peace (USIP), sheds light on the “pig butchering” scam. The scam involves fattening up victims before scamming them out of their money. Once the victims have invested all their financial resources, the scammers disappear with the money.
The report highlights the activities of Chinese criminal bosses who have taken control of Shwe Kokko, a new township in Karen State bordering Thailand. They have formed an alliance with the Myanmar Border Guard Force under the Burmese military. Shwe Kokko has now become a safe haven for crime, including drugs and sex trafficking, which funds the military regime using illicit money.
China watcher Ye Zhiqiu suggests that these criminal organizations are likely backed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), given their strong cooperation with the local military in Myanmar. He points out that criminal organizations in China cannot thrive without the protection of the CCP. Ye explains that the backbone of these criminal groups often consists of CCP officials and government departments.
However, the CCP may try to distance itself from these criminals for its own interests. Ye suggests that the CCP fears that allowing these criminal groups to operate within China could lead to negative consequences in the long run, including potential corruption and damage to the regime’s image. By allowing them to operate abroad, the CCP can achieve its goal of stirring up the world.
China watcher Shi Shan adds that the CCP has attempted to crack down on cyber fraud domestically without much success. Shi believes that the CCP may have incorporated cyber fraud criminals into its own organization as a way to make use of them. He points out that the CCP has already infiltrated and expanded its influence abroad through platforms like TikTok, data theft, and cyber hacking.
Jason Tower, a co-author of the USIP report, states that these cyber frauds initially targeted Chinese citizens but have now expanded their crimes to include victims from the United States, Europe, Japan, and many other countries worldwide. Cyber fraud has become a global security threat, affecting nationals from over 46 countries.
The CCP’s involvement with criminal organizations is not new. Reports suggest that the CCP has deep links with organized crime and triads, undermining democracies and threatening regional stability. Communist leader Deng Xiaoping once stated that the CCP was prepared to work with organized criminals if they supported the communist regime.
The CCP’s involvement with triads and criminal activities is evident even in places like Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan. CCP officials have demonstrated a willingness to work directly with organized Chinese crime groups that align with Beijing’s goals.
The CCP’s history as a “communist bandit” has been widely acknowledged, even by its own officials. The CCP has been compared to a triad group, utilizing various criminal methods to maintain its power and control. Corruption, shoddy products, prostitution, drugs, and conspiracies between officials and gangs are prevalent in China. Many high-ranking officials are involved in organized crime syndicates and extort protection fees from the public.
China watchers warn that the CCP’s infiltration of triads and criminal organizations could have devastating consequences worldwide, potentially surpassing the influence of the Russian mob. It is clear that the CCP’s involvement in criminal activities extends beyond its borders, as it seeks to expand its power and influence abroad.
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