Over 34,000 Online Fraudsters Prosecuted in China This Year... 52% Surge Compared to Last Year

Supreme People's Procuratorate Intensifies Crackdown and Punishments
"More than Half Are Highly Educated with College Degrees or Higher"

According to China News Network on the 30th, the number of online fraudsters prosecuted in China this year has surged by 52% compared to last year.

Data released by the Supreme People's Procuratorate on the same day showed that from January to October this year, over 34,000 online fraudsters were prosecuted nationwide by the People's Procuratorates, marking a 52% increase compared to the same period last year.

While online fraudsters in the past were mostly younger, low-income, and less-educated individuals, the Supreme People's Procuratorate revealed that the number of highly educated offenders is gradually increasing.

From the first to the third quarter of this year, the number of highly educated individuals with at least a college degree prosecuted nationwide for online fraud-related charges such as executing fraud, aiding fraud, and concealing fraud reached over 18,000.

The Supreme People's Procuratorate instructed that as online fraud crimes surged in countries bordering China, they would relentlessly track down fraudsters arrested overseas to capture their entire gangs, actively prosecute them seeking severe sentences, and focus efforts on confiscating illegally obtained funds. Additionally, they strengthened publicity to prevent involvement in or victimization by online fraud.

Meanwhile, China’s prosecution and public security authorities launched large-scale crackdowns this year as online fraud targeting Chinese nationals, based in border areas such as Myanmar, became rampant.

In April, 430 individuals involved in online fraud activities linked to Myanmar organizations were arrested and all prosecuted in Nanchong, Sichuan Province.

Since September, in cooperation with local Myanmar authorities, operations to eradicate online fraud crimes in northern Myanmar adjacent to Yunnan Province have resulted in the arrest and repatriation of a total of 31,000 Chinese involved in online fraud, including 63 key figures such as financiers, gang leaders, and core executives of criminal organizations.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.