China ringing up wins against telecom fraud

Joint efforts

During a nationwide teleconference on combating illegal activities using telecom networks held on May 30, authorities outlined measures being taken to strengthen specialized efforts and collaboration to tackle such crimes. The conference also heard that more targeted policies and a proper legal framework were needed to support the crackdown.

The Central Political and Legal Affairs Commission of the Communist Party of China Central Committee has incorporated work to combat and manage telecom-related crime into the assessment system for local governments.

In August, the public security departments of China, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos met in Chiang Mai, Thailand, and launched a special operation targeting fraud, gambling and related crimes in the region, such as human trafficking, kidnapping and illegal detention. They pledged to undertake proactive operations to reverse the high incidence of such crimes.

Wang Xiaowei, an associate professor at the school of investigation of the People's Public Security University of China, said international cooperation was needed to effectively combat the rapid development of new types of cybercrimes including telecom fraud and online gambling.

With the emergence of transnational and cross-regional characteristics in these crimes, international collaboration has become even more crucial. Also, dealing with locations where criminal activities are suspected to be happening requires the support of local law enforcement, and an understanding of their capabilities and how effective joint actions will be.

International law enforcement cooperation faces challenges due to different legal systems in different jurisdictions, Wang added. Issues include extradition, transfer of evidence, repatriation of suspects, and the recovery and seizure of funds involved in the fraud cases.

In September, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and the Ministry of Public Security jointly supervised the investigation of a number of telecom fraud cases aiming to uncover the organizers, leaders and hidden masterminds of the gangs.

In response to the widespread telecom fraud operations in northern Myanmar affecting China, the Ministry of Public Security directed public security departments in neighboring Yunnan province and other regions to enhance cooperation with Myanmar on border policing, and have carried out several crackdowns since September.

In November last year, China issued arrest warrants for four leaders of a family-led gang operating in Myanmar headed by Ming Xuechang. In a coordinated effort with Myanmar authorities, three suspects were apprehended while Ming killed himself before his arrest.

Law enforcement authorities in cities including Baoshan, Yunnan, Xinyu, Jiangxi province, Wuhu, Anhui province, and Longyan, Fujian province, have issued notices urging individuals living illegally abroad, especially in northern Myanmar, to return home within a set time limit to seek leniency in their cases.

Coordinated efforts

Wang Zhizhong, vice-minister of Public Security, said that considering the challenging circumstances, the ministry has coordinated well with law enforcement agencies nationwide to obtain an accurate understanding of the characteristics and patterns of telecom fraud.

"Specialist teams have been established to research and resolve telecom fraud-related issues to form both internal and external synergies, while multiple measures for the prevention and cracking down on such crimes have been strengthened," he said.

Wang added that they have prioritized early-stage prevention and deployed various preventive measures to minimize the occurrence of such cases.

The ministry has guided law enforcement agencies at all levels to establish a system to warn and dissuade offenders, with millions of warning notices issued to various regions, Wang said. The Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology have jointly set up the 12381 anti-fraud warning and dissuasion SMS system.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has also enhanced industry monitoring, early warning, and its capabilities to handle fraud-related information.

Meanwhile, the Cyberspace Administration of China is blocking overseas fraud-related websites and IP addresses, while the People's Bank of China is monitoring and controlling funds suspected of being obtained from fraud cases.

Since the law on anti-online fraud took effect on Dec 1, 2022, police nationwide have imposed administrative punishments on over 210,000 individuals. They have also detained about 78,000 suspects involved in criminal activities such as money laundering and involvement with overseas fraud groups, the Ministry of Public Security said.

In addition, police and relevant departments have stopped 13.89 million people from being duped, and intercepted 2.75 billion fraudulent phone calls and 2.28 billion suspicious short messages. They have also terminated about 6 million domain names and websites involved in fraud cases and intercepted the transfer of 328.8 billion yuan involved in these cases, according to the ministry.

Contact the writer at yangzekun@chinadaily.com.cn