Reporting of online fraud rises after launch of platform

A platform jointly operated by Beijing police and China’s largest security software provider saw a rise in reporting of online fraud last year, with a majority of victims claiming being cheated while transferring money through smartphone applications.

In 2017, the platform run by Beijing Public Security Bureau and Qihoo 360 received a total of 24,260 reports of online fraud, up 17.6 percent year-on-year, the company said on Wednesday.

The average losses reached 14,413 yuan ($2,284), a 52.2 percent increase year-on-year, it said.

More than 65 percent of the claimants said were swindled when transferring money via online payment applications, it added.

To fight against online fraud, police officers have strengthened efforts since last year. So far, public security departments from 300 regions across the country have joined the platform, according to Qihoo 360.

Last year, the company made use of its big data to help police trace more than 310,000 online clues, and cooperated with them to break 23 cases and arrest 137 suspects, it added.