TechFlow News, February 26: According to a report by the Shanghai Securities Journal, on February 26, Wang Bin, Director of the Third Criminal Division of the Supreme People’s Court, stated at a press conference titled “The People’s Courts’ Work in Lawfully Combating Telecommunications and Internet Fraud and Property-related Crimes,” held by the Supreme People’s Court, that courts will next focus their crackdown efforts on key targets including the ringleaders and core members of criminal gangs; the “financial backers” (“jinzhu”) of telecom fraud; human smugglers (“shetou”) who organize illegal border crossings; organizations providing armed protection for cross-border telecom fraud crimes; violent offenses—including intentional homicide, intentional injury, and kidnapping—committed during telecom fraud activities; and associated crimes such as money laundering via virtual currencies or underground banking systems.
Wang Bin also stated that the people’s courts will intensify the application of property-related penalties against telecom fraud offenders to ensure criminals gain no financial benefit from their crimes. Courts will guide individuals involved in “two-card”-related crimes—including those aiding and abetting information network crimes (“bangxin”) and concealing or disguising criminal proceeds (“yan yin”)—to voluntarily compensate victims. Restitution and recovery of illicit gains will be considered as factors reflecting the offender’s admission of guilt and remorse, and as grounds for leniency or mitigated sentencing. Offenders capable of making restitution but who refuse to do so will be subject to stricter punishment in accordance with the law.
