'Gang' boss told court he tricked employees to run scam

A court hearing about a nine-member organization charged with operating a smuggling ring was held at Chaoyang district court on Wednesday.

Prosecutors said the "gang" worked in August 2008 to obtain visas for their clients - using fake materials, invitation letters, insurance, plane tickets and accommodation orders abroad - at the cost of 40,000 to 60,000 yuan per person.

Defendant Tian Zhikui, from Tianjin, was alleged to have created an international trade company called Xin Ding Bao Tong in Beijing in 2008. It was said to have never traded internationally.