Hundreds convicted in major cross-border telecom fraud　

In a landmark case, Chinese authorities have dismantled a major cross-border telecom fraud ring led by two individuals who recruited over 400 people to carry out scams in Cambodia from 2019 to 2020.

The sophisticated fraud network used fake stock investment schemes to target over 500 victims, resulting in losses exceeding 150 million yuan ($21 million).

The investigation, initiated by the Jinhua Public Security Bureau in Zhejiang province, was jointly overseen by the Supreme People's Procuratorate (SPP) and the Ministry of Public Security of China.

From July 2021 to November 2023, the Jinhua police transferred the case to prosecution authorities in the city, leading to indictments against key figures, including one individual surnamed Ge, who acted as a "leader" within the second tier of the ring, on suspicion of committing crimes of fraud.

Between December 2021 and May 2024, the relevant courts in Jinhua sentenced Ge to life imprisonment, with the deprivation of political rights for life and confiscation of all personal assets. Twelve others involved in the case received sentences ranging from 10 years and three months to 14 years along with fines. An additional 379 members were sentenced to at least three years of imprisonment.

This case underlines the commitment of the Chinese authorities to severely punish key members and active participants in cross-border telecom fraud rings. In recent years, criminal gangs have expanded and become more sophisticated, frequently recruiting members to work from overseas. Their actions significantly threaten financial security and social stability. Harsh sentences, including life imprisonment and asset confiscation, underscore a zero-tolerance policy for key players in large-scale fraud operations.