Supreme People's Court Clamps Down on Phone Scammers

(Beijing) — China's judicial authorities have widened the legal net used to catch tech-savvy fraudsters as it tries to clamp down on widespread scams carried out via short-message services, phone calls and phishing websites.

Fraudsters found guilty of swindling victims of a total 3,000 yuan ($430) or more using such technology can now face criminal charges and up to three years in prison because the amount is considered "relatively large" under a new set of legally binding recommendations jointly released Tuesday by the Supreme People's Court, the Supreme People's Procuratorate and Ministry of Public Security.