China publicizes fake journalist cases

BEIJING — Chinese authorities on Friday publicized five typical cases involving fraud or blackmail conducted by fake journalists.

The National Office Against Pornographic and Illegal Publications said in a statement that law enforcement authorities have launched a special campaign against such violations.

In one case in Hebei, a total of 19 suspects have been held by the police. They were found to have pretended to be journalists and blackmailed enterprises or individuals by threatening to publish negative reports.

The suspects were also believed to have forged fake press cards for others.

In another case in Hainan, investigators found that the suspect falsely claimed to be a journalist and swindled over 200 rural families out of at least 1.5 million yuan ($218,000) in the name of collecting deposits for poverty relief materials.