Mainland, Taiwan bust 73 telecom fraud gangs

BEIJING - Chinese mainland and Taiwan police have jointly busted 73 gangs who were duping Taiwan citizens out of money over the phone, the mainland's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) said on Friday.

A total of 90 criminal dens were destroyed, with 301 suspects arrested, including 290 from the mainland and 11 from Taiwan.

The fraud involved 200 million New Taiwan dollars ($6.65 million), the MPS said.

The police confiscated illicit money and goods worth 3 million yuan ($488,400), and seized a large number of tools used for criminal activities.

Police in southeast China's Fujian Province tracked down a gang, whose leader was Yao Yue, a native of the province. The gang was targeting mainly Taiwan citizens.

It is the latest in a series of telecom fraud cases that the mainland and Taiwan have jointly uncovered in recent years, the MPS said, adding that the efforts have successfully safeguarded the people's interests and social stability across the Taiwan Strait.

The MPS urged people to be aware of suspicious calls asking for remittance or fund transfers, and not to tell people their bank details or passwords.