ScamsNOW!
The SCARS Institute Magazine about Scam Victims-Survivors, Scams, Fraud & Cybercrime
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
SCARS Resources:
- For New Victims of Relationship Scams newvictim.AgainstScams.org
- Subscribe to SCARS Newsletter newsletter.againstscams.org
- Sign up for SCARS professional support & recovery groups, visit support.AgainstScams.org
- Find competent trauma counselors or therapists, visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
- Become a SCARS Member and get free counseling benefits, visit membership.AgainstScams.org
- Report each and every crime, learn how to at reporting.AgainstScams.org
- Learn more about Scams & Scammers at RomanceScamsNOW.com and ScamsNOW.com
- Global Cyber Alliance ACT Cybersecurity Tool Website: Actionable Cybersecurity Tools (ACT) (globalcyberalliance.org)
- Self-Help Books for Scam Victims are at shop.AgainstScams.org
- Donate to SCARS and help us help others at donate.AgainstScams.org
- Worldwide Crisis Hotlines: International Suicide Hotlines – OpenCounseling : OpenCounseling
- Campaign To End Scam Victim Blaming – 2024 (scamsnow.com)
More:
- Surviving Sextortion / Sexual Photo Blackmail (romancescamsnow.com)
- When Sextortion Goes Wrong (romancescamsnow.com)
- A Despicable New Sextortion Scam! Scamming The Parents Of Dead Children! (romancescamsnow.com)
- Sextortion – An FBI Warning (romancescamsnow.com)
- Sextortion / Blackmail / Extortion Scams – Article Catalog (romancescamsnow.com)
- 88 Chinese Scammers Arrested In Indonesia (scamsnow.com)
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
SCARS Institute now offers a free recovery program at www.SCARSeducation.org
Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors, please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and not to blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and help victims avoid scams in the future. At times, this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims; we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens, and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
SCARS INSTITUTE RESOURCES:
If You Have Been Victimized By A Scam Or Cybercrime
♦ If you are a victim of scams, go to www.ScamVictimsSupport.org for real knowledge and help
♦ Enroll in SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
♦ To report criminals, visit https://reporting.AgainstScams.org – we will NEVER give your data to money recovery companies like some do!
♦ Follow us and find our podcasts, webinars, and helpful videos on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RomancescamsNowcom
♦ Learn about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
♦ Dig deeper into the reality of scams, fraud, and cybercrime at www.ScamsNOW.com and www.RomanceScamsNOW.com
♦ Scam Survivor’s Stories: www.ScamSurvivorStories.org
♦ For Scam Victim Advocates visit www.ScamVictimsAdvocates.org
♦ See more scammer photos on www.ScammerPhotos.com
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Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this and other SCARS articles are intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
Note about Mindfulness: Mindfulness practices have the potential to create psychological distress for some individuals. Please consult a mental health professional or experienced meditation instructor for guidance should you encounter difficulties.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here
If you are in crisis, feeling desperate, or in despair, please call 988 or your local crisis hotline.
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A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish. Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors’ experience. You can do Google searches, but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
