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China to crack down on pyramid sales, illegal banks

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-12-22 20:40

BEIJING -- China plans to crack down on pyramid schemes and illegal banking services more severely as the nation's senior legislators Monday began to discuss a law draft targeting such scams.

A draft of an amendment to the Criminal Law more strictly defines what constitutes a pyramid scheme. This definition will enable law enforcers to deal with cases involving the money-making activities, according to a bi-monthly session of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, the country's top legislature.

The draft amendment proposes that the penalty on "serious cases" should be a minimum of five years in prison.

Under the revised amendment, financial services involving securities deals, futures and insurance products without official permits will be illegal.