Gold99 | Not long ago, Bai Suocheng, Wei Chaoren, and Liu Zhengxiang ruled over Laukkaing in Myanmar’s semi-lawless Shan State, turning it into a thriving casino center. However, their reign ended abruptly as ethnic rebels approached the city, prompting their escape.
Under the triads’ influence, Laukkaing underwent a dramatic transformation, evolving from a quiet town into a bustling casino hub notorious for criminal activities, particularly fraudulent operations.
In November, rebel forces launched an assault on Laukkaing, liberating trafficked individuals and apprehending members of the ruling triad families. Simultaneously, reports suggested that the country’s military government relinquished control and withdrew.
According to the United Nations, hundreds of thousands of individuals have been trafficked into similar centers across Southeast Asia, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue.
Gold99 | Underworld Dominion: Laukkaing’s Fraud Empire
The three leaders wielded significant autonomy in a region historically controlled by ethnic rebel groups, thanks to their support for Myanmar’s military government. Laukkaing’s fraudulent operations, termed “fraud factories,” have contributed billions of dollars to both the junta and the triads.
The Three Brotherhood Alliance (TBA), formed by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), the Ta’ang National Liberation Army, and the Arakan Army, orchestrated a successful rebellion in Laukkaing. TBA’s triumph includes the capture of at least 35 towns since their uprising commenced in October, as reported by Reuters.
In November, Bai, Wei, and Liu were apprehended by junta forces while attempting to escape Laukkaing, as per rebel accounts reported by Chinese state media.
Beijing’s Detour from the Junta
Before 2009, Laukkaing was under the control of local warlord Peng Jiasheng, a rebel commander. The preceding military government sought to establish allies in the lawless region and supported a coup against Peng, led by his right-hand man, Bai.
In exchange for his loyalty, Peng was exiled to China, while Bai gained the freedom to profit from casinos, attracting Chinese visitors. Bai ascended as the chairman of the broader Kokang autonomous region, leading a coalition of five Mafia families, including those helmed by Wei and Liu. Together, they expanded into money laundering, drug trade, and human trafficking.
Concerned about the proximity of scam centers and casinos to its borders, Beijing issued arrest warrants for several operators in November, potentially triggering the rebels’ assault on Laukkaing.
The rebellion near the border likely required China’s approval, given the strategic location and its concerns about illicit activities.
‘Serious Offenses’
In December, Chinese authorities issued an official bounty for the capture of Bai, Wei, Liu, and their associates, labeling them as “ringleaders.” Faced with mounting pressure, the embattled junta had little recourse but to deliver them to the regional powerhouse.
China’s Ministry of Public Security, as reported by the BBC, stated, “For a prolonged period, various criminal factions in northern Myanmar have brazenly organized armed groups for fraudulent activities, targeting Chinese citizens.”
The ministry leveled accusations against the three triad leaders, citing their involvement in “multiple and serious violent crimes,” encompassing murder, assault, and illegal detention.
