On May 14, the Myanmar military announced a draft proposal to impose life sentences on operators of crypto scams. The draft, known as the Anti-Cyber Scam Law, states that anyone convicted of “digital currency fraud” or running online scam centers could face penalties ranging from ten years to life imprisonment.
Additionally, the bill allows for the death penalty for operators who use “violence, torture, illegal arrest and detention, or cruel treatment of others” during the commission of fraud.
The military's proposal sets the maximum penalty for digital currency fraud. Analysts describe the military-backed parliament as a “rubber-stamp legislature,” with plans to convene in the first week of June.
This bill is the first piece of legislation proposed by the new government led by coup leader Min Aung Hlaing, who just assumed the presidency last month. The proposal reflects a broader regional trend. In March 2026, Cambodia passed anti-fraud legislation with a maximum prison term of ten years for leaders. Meanwhile, Singapore plans to establish a dedicated cyber command law enforcement unit by July 2026.