312 arrested in Guandong special operation

Guangdong police have detained 312 people suspected of infringing the personal data of local residents.

Police also destroyed 35 illegal investigatory companies during a special operation that was launched in the southern province between April 20 and 23. A total of 2,460 police officers in the cities of Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Shantou, Foshan, Huizhou Dongguan and special economic zone of Shenzhen participated in the operation.

A large number of criminal tools and stolen goods, including 307 computers, 302 telephones, 13 needle video cameras, 400 monitors, 157 bank cards, plus a number of recorders and cameras, were seized, Zhai Kaixia , deputy director of the criminal investigation bureau under the Guangdong provincial department of public security, said on Thursday.

The companies and suspects involved in the cases sold personal data they gained through illegal means to local criminal gangs for large profits, Zhai said.

"With the personal data they illegally purchased from the investigatory companies and suspects, the criminal gangs then organized telephone fraud, kidnapping and illegal demand of payment of debts for some creditors, and committed other crimes," Zhai said at a press conference in the Guangdong provincial capital.

"Those who steal the personal data of residents and sell it to criminal gangs for profit have violated related Chinese laws and infringed on residents' personal data," he said.

Zhai hinted that more operations will be launched in the coming months to fight crime.

Zhai urged local residents to cooperate with police and provide information about illegal activities.

Meanwhile, police across Guangdong province solved more than 33,900 criminal cases in the first three months. Police detained 150 suspects after they solved 101 cases involving the abduction and trafficking in women and children from January to March. A total of 82 children and 20 women were rescued.