Chongqing court tries Myanmar-linked telecom fraud case

From Wednesday to Friday, the Chongqing No 5 Intermediate People's Court held the first trial for Xu Faqi and four other defendants, who are facing charges of fraud, intentional injury, illegal detention, extortion, smuggling, drug trafficking, and illegal border crossing.

The Fifth Branch of the Chongqing People's Procuratorate accused the criminal group, led by Xu, of exploiting his influence in the Kokang region of Myanmar. Since 2019, they have allegedly collaborated with telecom fraud groups to construct and lease 14 fraud parks, conducting telecom network scams amounting to over 1.1 billion yuan ($154.68 million).

Under the protection of Xu's armed group, there was one case of intentional injury resulting in death, one case causing minor injury, and dozens of cases of illegal detention and extortion within these fraud parks.

The prosecution seeks to hold Xu, Luo Yujun, and other members of the criminal group, along with Zhang Longlong and other telecom fraud group members, criminally responsible for fraud, intentional injury, illegal detention, and extortion.

Additionally, Xu faces charges of smuggling and drug trafficking, Zhang is charged with participating in telecom fraud in the Philippines, and Xu, Zhang, and Xi Kangqiang are all charged with illegal border crossing.

During the trial, the prosecution presented relevant evidence, and the defendants and their legal representatives cross-examined it. Both teams fully expressed their arguments under the court's supervision, and the defendants made their final statements.

At the conclusion of the trial, the court announced an adjournment and stated that the verdict would be announced at a later date.

Over 30 people, including family members of the parties involved and members of the public, attended the trial.