Crackdown on cybercrime nets results

Prosecutors initiated lawsuits against 719,000 people for using the internet to commit fraud, gamble and distribute obscene materials over the past five years, with an average annual increase of 43.3 percent in lawsuits each year, according to the annual work report of the Supreme People's Procuratorate.

The report was delivered by procurator-general Zhang Jun to the ongoing first session of the 14th National People's Congress for deliberation on Tuesday.

In response to the continued sharp rise in cybercrimes, the SPP issued a guideline for handling cases in 2020, and issued further guidance with the Supreme People's Court and the Ministry of Public Security in 2022

Prosecutors also helped public security organs search for fund providers and key members of telecom fraud groups, as well as in recovering victims' losses.

The report stated that procuratorial organs targeted every link in the cybercrime network and prosecuted people involved in activities such as the illegal trade of mobile phone cards and bank cards, as well as those offering technical support and support for illegal money withdrawals and transfers. The number of those prosecuted for offering support to fraudsters increased from 137 in 2018 to 130,000 in 2022.

In 2020, the SPP also sent a procuratorial suggestion to the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology to encourage the rectification of cybercrimes and illegal activities at the source.

According to the annual work report of the Supreme People's Court, which was delivered by SPC president Zhou Qiang to the NPC for deliberation on Tuesday, courts concluded 226,000 cases of telecom fraud and associate crime, bringing a significant number of fraudsters to justice.

Other cybercrimes, such as infringing on personal information, helping with cybercrimes, online gambling, paid posters and spreading false information, were also targeted and severely punished, the SPC's report said.