China cracks down on earthquake rumors and fraud
Xinhua |
Updated: 2017-08-13 07:29
Share
Share - WeChat
BEIJING - China's Ministry of Public Security has been investigating crimes related to earthquake rumors online and charity fraud after a deadly earthquake struck Southwest China's Sichuan province, the ministry said Saturday.
Rumors of earthquakes in different areas in China created and spread by several Internet users since the Sichuan earthquake have caused social panic and harmed social stability, according to the ministry.
The ministry has put four people under administrative detention for sending rumors via Wechat, a Chinese mobile instant messaging app with millions of users.
The ministry also launched an investigation into charity fraud that took advantage of people's sympathy for the earthquake victims.
Internet users should not create, believe, or pass on rumors, said an official with the ministry.
The ministry welcomes reports of online rumors from the public.
Related Stories
- Military rescue operations underway after deadly Sichuan quake
- Response speedy to Sichuan quake
- 126 foreigners among 50,000 tourists evacuated after SW China quake
- No major building collapses in quake epicenter town
- China allocates 180m yuan for post-quake relief
- Quake damage to Jiuzhaigou tourist sites revealed
- Quake a blow to tourism workers
- Now and then: Damage to quake-hit area in Sichuan
- Death toll from strong China quake rises to 24
- Flag-raising ceremony, reception held to mark 29th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to motherland
- HK launches series of activities marking 29th anniversary of return to motherland
- Hebei county turns trucks and screws into livestream success stories
- Beijing logs first June without a 35 C day since 2015
- China completes in-orbit test of muscle monitor for astronauts
- HKSAR holds flag-raising ceremony to mark 29th anniv. of return to motherland
