Prosecutors to intensify fight against telecom fraud

Chinese prosecutors pledged on Thursday to step up efforts against telecom fraud this year, with a focus on recovering financial losses and tackling the crime at its roots to better protect people's property and safety.

Du Xueyi, head of the Supreme People's Procuratorate's division on economic crimes, said telecom fraud remains a severe and complex issue, particularly as cases originating overseas continue to rise despite China's intensified crackdown.

"Telecom fraud has evolved into a cross-border, monopolistic and organized crime," Du said. "Some criminals have established 'industrial parks' or 'science and technology zones' overseas to recruit and control people, forming large-scale criminal organizations."

To combat the crime, Chinese prosecutors have implemented various measures to deter scammers and raise public awareness of fraud prevention, he said.

From January to November 2024, more than 67,000 individuals were indicted on telecom fraud charges, a 58.5 percent increase year-on-year, according to official data.

A nationwide campaign last year led to the repatriation of more than 40,000 individuals suspected of involvement in cross-border telecom fraud operations in northern Myanmar, of whom more than 29,000 have been prosecuted as of November, the data showed.

Du noted that the Supreme People's Procuratorate, the Supreme People's Court and the Ministry of Public Security have also issued new guidelines on telecom fraud, streamlining case-handling procedures and clarifying that those providing financial, technical or personnel support to fraudsters will face penalties.

Additionally, prosecutors have worked to strengthen personal information protections and promote legal education, sharing the latest fraud tactics and prevention tips both online and offline to curb scams at the source, Du said.

China has ramped up both domestic enforcement and international cooperation in the fight against telecom fraud, achieving notable results in recent years.

A joint law enforcement operation with five Southeast Asian nations led to the resolution of more than 160 cases — most linked to telecom fraud — and the arrest of over 70,000 suspects, China Media Group reported in January.

Besides the crackdown on fraud, Du said prosecutors will also intensify efforts to combat economic crimes to better protect people's interests and maintain a law-based business environment.

Cases of financial fraud related to listed companies have surged, he said, with prosecutions for the nondisclosure or misrepresentation of key information increasing 120 percent from January to November last year, compared with the same period in 2023.

"Crimes such as securities market manipulation and insider trading have also seen significant increases," Du said, urging prosecutors to prioritize such cases as they disrupt capital markets and threaten financial stability.