Beijing police have dismantled 48 criminal networks involved in cash withdrawals and gold transportation for telecom and internet fraud schemes since the beginning of the year. Over 280 suspects have been arrested, with authorities intercepting 8.23 kilograms of gold and more than 29.9 million yuan in cash.
The police have focused their efforts on targeting criminal groups that provide technical support, information, and money laundering services for fraud operations. A special campaign has been launched to address new methods used by fraudsters to transfer illicit funds offline, with particular emphasis on disrupting "cash-out teams" that launder money through cash withdrawals and gold purchases. These measures have effectively deterred such criminal activities.
In addition, Beijing police have strengthened source management and collaborative control, deepening cooperation with telecommunications, financial, banking, and internet sectors. By targeting key elements such as fraudulent phone cards, bank cards, illegal apps, and online accounts, joint efforts have been made to further shrink the operational space for illegal gray-market industries.
In a recent operation, Beijing police coordinated multiple units and conducted cross-provincial raids, successfully dismantling a criminal network that had been moving across the country to launder money for fraud schemes. Seven suspects were apprehended in the operation.
In mid-January, police in the Fangshan District received a report from a local gold store employee regarding an unusual appointment to purchase gold worth over one million yuan. This raised suspicions, and officers quickly verified that the individual had been deeply influenced by overseas scammers promoting a fake online investment scheme. Convinced by the fraudsters' tactics, the victim insisted on making a so-called "large investment" by purchasing gold offline. Thanks to intervention by both police and family members, the victim did not hand over the purchased gold, successfully avoiding financial loss.
Meanwhile, investigators arrested a suspect surnamed Li, who was waiting to collect the gold. Under questioning, Li admitted to responding to an online recruitment ad offering high daily pay and was tasked by a "superior" to contact the victim and retrieve the gold. For each completed task, Li received a commission ranging from 500 to 1,000 yuan.
Following these leads, investigators carried out extensive inquiries and eventually identified a criminal group operating within the country, specializing in moving illicit funds for telecom fraud schemes.
To capture all members of the network, Beijing police formed a multi-department task force and coordinated with law enforcement agencies in multiple regions to plan a synchronized takedown. When the time was right, task force teams were dispatched to several provinces, resulting in the arrest of seven suspects, including the primary suspect surnamed Lin. Investigations revealed that the group had been operating across the country for an extended period, laundering money for telecom and internet fraud gangs with high concealment and involvement in illegal proceeds exceeding one million yuan. The suspects have been criminally detained by Fangshan police, and the case remains under investigation.
Police have issued a reminder to the public that any investment opportunity claiming to be "risk-free" or offering "insider information" is likely a scam. Any scheme that requires purchasing gold, gift cards, or high-value items for shipment should be regarded as fraudulent. Additionally, individuals who engage in "helping with pickups," "making deliveries," or acting as "cash-out runners" for quick money may be implicated in the crime of assisting information network criminal activities and face legal consequences. The public is urged to stay vigilant to protect personal assets and avoid becoming accomplices to criminal enterprises.
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