China Sees Sharp Rise in Cybercrime and Financial Fraud Cases
A recent report presented to the National People’s Congress has highlighted a significant increase in cybercrime and financial fraud cases in China last year.
Computer Crimes Reach New Heights
The Supreme People’s Procuratorate reported that computer crimes, including social media fraud, jumped 36.2% in 2023, involving over 323,000 people. This surge is likely linked to a rise in cross-border computer fraud, with thousands of victims being returned to China from neighboring countries such as Myanmar.
Indictments and Arrests on the Rise
Indictments for telecoms fraud rose nearly 67% to around 51,000, while arrests surged 47% to over 726,000. Indictments increased by 17.3% to around 168,800.
National Security and Public Order a Priority
The report comes as China marks the 75th anniversary of its founding on October 1, 1949, with the ruling Communist Party stressing its determination to fortify national security and protect public order. Courts have been instructed to “severely punish crimes that endanger national security and public safety according to the law” and to persist in crackdowns on organized crime, telecoms and internet fraud, cross-border gambling, and graft.
Efforts to Root Out Corruption
The prosecutors’ report also highlighted efforts to root out corruption, with 25 cases involving senior-level officials last year. Courts handled over 24,000 cases of bribery and other graft, a nearly 20% increase from the previous year.
New Laws and Revisions on the Horizon
A separate report by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress outlined plans for new laws on financial stability, emergency management, hazardous chemicals, energy, and atomic energy, as well as revisions to laws on money laundering, bankruptcy, unfair competition, mineral resources, and cybersecurity.
Conclusion
The reports were presented during a six-day session of the national congress, which is mainly ceremonial in nature. The session is expected to end with approvals of reports by Premier Li Qiang and others that set the party’s plans for the year.
Key Statistics
- Computer crimes increased 36.2% in 2023
- Indictments for telecoms fraud rose nearly 67%
- Arrests surged 47%
- Courts handled over 24,000 cases of bribery and other graft
- A nearly 20% increase from the previous year