China Cracks Down On Scammers – Chinese & Indonesia Police Arrests 88 Sextortion Scammers In Indonesia

By SCARS Editorial Team – Society of Citizens Against Relationship Scams Inc.

The Chinese Police And The Indonesian Police Carry Out International Law Enforcement Cooperation Successfully Arresting 88 Fraud Suspects Engaged In Cross-Border Sextortion Scams

To effectively enforce the directives laid out in the Chinese national conference addressing emerging illegal activities within telecommunications networks, specifically focusing on the severe crackdown of cross-border fraud crimes in accordance with both Chinese and international law, the Chinese and Indonesian police have actively engaged in cooperative law enforcement efforts.

Recently, a significant victory was achieved as a large-scale criminal organization involved in cross-border extortion via explicit online video chats was dismantled in Batam, Indonesia. This operation resulted in the successful apprehension of 88 suspects linked to a telecom network fraud, marking a pivotal triumph in the fight against cross-border extortion schemes.

The Chinese Ministry of Public Security has been diligently orchestrating in-depth research and analysis of numerous cases involving explicit online video chat extortion (sextortion,) especially within Beijing and Shandong. After an exhaustive process of tracing and thorough investigation, a specialized task force identified the operational centers of these fraudulent activities in Indonesia, thereby pinpointing several potential suspects. On August 8, 2023, the Ministry of Public Security dispatched a delegation led by law enforcement personnel from various public security agencies in Beijing, Shandong, and other regions to Indonesia. With robust support and coordination from the Chinese embassy in Indonesia, they initiated a cooperative effort with the Indonesian police to combat telecommunications network fraud.

Following the acquisition of substantial criminal evidence and facts pertaining to these unlawful activities, the Indonesian police, on August 23, 2023, executed the first phase of a concentrated operation targeting a major telecommunications network fraud hub (scam call center) deeply entrenched in Batam, Indonesia.

This operation resulted in the apprehension of 88 suspects associated with telecom network fraud, and the seizure of more than 29 computers, over 88 mobile phones, an abundance of bank cards, and various tools used in the commission of these crimes. Preliminary investigations revealed that this criminal syndicate was responsible for over 80 cases of explicit online video chat extortion across multiple regions in China. Further investigations into these cases are currently underway. The Indonesian police have agreed to extradite these suspects to China, and the Ministry of Public Security is in the process of organizing the necessary law enforcement personnel to escort approximately 200 suspects back to China in the near future.

In recent years, explicit online video chat sextortion crimes have exhibited an alarming rise, making them one of the most pernicious categories of telecommunications network relationship scams/fraud. Perpetrators entice unsuspecting individuals by posting explicit content on popular dating platforms, live-streaming platforms, and online forums. They persuade victims to add them as contacts and subsequently dispatch a Trojan app to download/pilfer personal information from their mobile devices, such as address books. Subsequently, they engage victims in explicit video chats, often employing female presenters or pornographic videos to manipulate victims (usually men) into engaging in sexually explicit conduct. These encounters are secretly recorded, and the perpetrators employ the resulting explicit videos as blackmail to extort money from victims. Many victims succumb to this sextortion, driven by concerns about their reputation and the fear of exposure. Some victims, trapped in a web of deceit, are coerced into borrowing significant sums from online loan platforms and accumulating substantial debts. Tragically, the psychological toll inflicted on victims has led some to contemplate or commit suicide, resulting in grave consequences and negative societal impacts.

A representative from the Ministry emphasized the enduring commitment of law enforcement agencies to maintain relentless pressure on translational organized scam/fraud crimes. They are steadfast in their resolve to bolster international law enforcement cooperation, launching an aggressive campaign against overseas fraud groups. This resolute stance aims to significantly reduce the incidence of such crimes, ultimately safeguarding the well-being and assets of the general populace worldwide.

Source: Chinese Ministry of Public Security

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