16 suspects arrested over online tourist ticket theft

Beijing police recently arrested 16 suspects involved in the online theft and resale of tickets to scenic tourists spots, the municipal Public Security Bureau said on Tuesday.

The suspects used illegal software to grab the tickets and then resell them at a higher price, the bureau said, adding that the illicit gains of the gangs was more than 2.3 million yuan ($315,497). Two groups were involved in the criminal activities.

Police seized 25 mobile phones, 21 computers and 26 software programs used to illegally access the tickets when they arrested the suspects, according to the report.

"The crackdown was in response to public complaints about the difficulty of buying tickets to popular scenic spots across the city, and to strongly protect the interests of tourists and maintain order in the tourism market," the bureau said.

Data released by the bureau showed that police citywide, along with other government departments, have arrested more than 100 people and targeted 10 travel agencies suspected of illegally using technology to steal and resell tickets to scenic spots, since the summer vacation began in July.

While pledging to continue the crackdown against such offenses, the bureau also called for tourists approached by scalpers to report to police as soon as possible.