Police intensify fight against cross-border gambling

Chinese police investigated as many as 73,000 cross-border gambling and related cases last year, dismantling more than 4,500 online gambling platforms, the Ministry of Public Security said.

They also disrupted multiple networks soliciting gamblers and underground banks in China, which had been operated for big gambling groups overseas, the ministry said in a statement on Thursday evening.

It noted that the battle against cross-border gambling has remained strong, adding that police nationwide conducted four operations to crack 45 major cases and captured 11,000 suspects.

An example was that through three years of investigation and operations, the police in Southwest China's Chongqing municipality destroyed a gambling group called "DC", which had long been based in the Philippines and solicited gamblers in China.

Chinese police have also deepened law enforcement cooperation with other countries to "squeeze the space to the greatest extent" for cross-border gambling crimes targeting Chinese residents, it added.

More than 3,700 people suspected of engaging in cross-border gambling, including ringleaders, financial supporters and key members of the criminal groups, were repatriated back to or persuaded to return to China in a campaign last year.

Additionally, the ministry pointed out that police have cooperated with various other departments, including those of foreign affairs, tourism, immigration and the People's Bank of China, to come up with different measures to tackle cross-border gambling.

They have targeted payment institutions, investment and employment involved with gambling, gambling through livestreaming activities and illegal lotteries, among others, and achieved positive outcomes, it said.

Moreover, China has further strengthened the combat against telecom fraud over the past month. It is carrying out bilateral and multilateral cooperation with neighboring countries, including Thailand and Myanmar, to root out online gambling and telecom fraud, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Friday.

In January, the Ministry of Public Security also pledged to strengthen international law enforcement cooperation to crack down on telecom fraud dens in Myanmar's Myawaddy, which borders Thailand.

On Thursday, a total of 61 victims, including 39 Chinese people, were rescued from telecom fraud parks in Myawaddy, according to CGTN. Myanmar has transferred them to Thai authorities.

The development came a day after Thailand cut power, fuel and internet supply to border areas in Myanmar.