Law against online fraud shows government cares

The widely anticipated law on telecom and online fraud recently adopted by the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which is due to take effect on Dec 1, marks a major step toward cracking down on telecom and online crimes and protecting people's legitimate interests.

Strengthening the anti-telecom and online fraud legislation means China has sounded a clarion call at the national level against such illegal behavior.

All kinds of telecom and online frauds committed by fabricating false information or peddling schemes through telephones have caused financial losses. Telecom and online frauds first emerged in the 1990s and a number of scammers have been brought to justice, but it is regrettable that such frauds have not been completely uprooted.

Statistics show that from April 2021 to July 2022, relevant departments cracked 594,000 telecom and internet fraud cases, intercepted 2.81 billion fraudulent phone calls and 3.36 billion text messages, and blocked 4 million fraudulent domain name websites. Although the trend of such frauds has been effectively curbed in recent years, it cannot be denied that more such cases and "hidden dangers" exist.

Telecom and online frauds not only damage the interests of individuals, but also shake social stability and endanger public and social security. The passage of the anti-telecom and online fraud law is expected to bring substantive changes to this. From Oct 19, 2021, when the draft law was submitted to the top legislature for deliberation, to its formal adoption, the legislation has been repeatedly discussed and deliberated over the past nearly a year.

From increasing the punishment for those who participate in, help and support fraud activities, to stipulating that persons engaged in telecom and online frauds and related crimes are given a bad credit record and face corresponding disciplinary measures, the legislation has repeatedly sharpened its teeth.

The new law is a condensation of many years of practical experience. It will not only deal a targeted blow to telecom and online frauds, but also provide strong legal support.

The legislation also sends a strong signal of the country's strict control over telecom and online frauds and its greater efforts to protect people's interests, which is conducive to deterring potential swindlers from committing illegal activities.

BEIJING NEWS