Incidences of violent crime are down, but economic crimes involving fake products and credit card fraud are up, according to the Ministry of Public Security yesterday.
In the first nine months of this year, the country reported 3.38 million criminal cases. 1.61 million of those have been "cracked," so to speak.
Economic crimes increased 7.2 percent during the period to 59,000 reported cases. This is according to ministry spokesman Wu Heping, speaking at a press conference.
The economic crimes reported include 2,036 cases of fraudulent and shoddy products, up 25.7 percent; 6,187 cases of financial fraud, up 15.9 percent; and 744 smuggling cases, up 13.8 percent respectively, according to the ministry.
Wu said the booming economy, rising incomes and deepening ties with the outside world all contribute to the growing problem.
"Criminological research shows that generally, economic crimes will increase when a country's GDP per capita is between $1,000 and $4,000," he said. "That's China right now."
Wu reminded the public to be particularly cautious when using automated teller machines (ATMs), online banking, and giving out personal information.
"Special attention should be paid to the sharp rise in credit card fraud," he said. He added that credit card fraud cases alone jumped almost one-third in the first half of the year, with criminals netting 44.6 million yuan ($5.98 million).
He said criminals were often found installing monitoring equipment at ATMs to steal account numbers and passwords and then made fake cards to withdraw the money.
They were also found using spy software or setting up fake websites of financial institutions or banks to "phish" for credit card account numbers and passwords.
According to the ministry, the problem was particularly serious in Shanghai, Fujian Province, and the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
Just two weeks ago, 29-year-old software programmer Xiao Feng stood trial in Urumqi, capital of Xinjiang. He was accused of stealing 120,000 yuan ($16,000) from 46 accounts using fake credit cards. No ruling or sentence has yet been given.
To prevent unnecessary loses, Wu advised the public to check their credit card accounts regularly and to use cards carefully, especially when making purchases or doing bank transfers online.
He said, "People using bank cards abroad must pay special attention, only use them in proper shops, and never let the card leave their sight."
Not all the crime statistics were gloomy, however. In fact, during the same period, crimes that "seriously threaten the public's sense of security" declined significantly. Murder, arson, and explosions caused by criminal negligence, dropped by 10 percent, 9.5 percent and 24.9 percent respectively, year on year.
Questions:
1. How many criminal cases were reported in China in the first 9 months of this year?
2. Wu Heping was especially concerned about which type of economic crime?
3. People using their credit cards where must pay special attention, or be particularly cautious?
4. Spy software or setting up fake websites of financial institutions or banks allows a criminal to do what?
Answers:
1. 3.38 million.
2. Credit card fraud.
3. In other countries (abroad).
4. "Phish": to collect account numbers and passwords.
（英语点津 Linda 编辑）
About the broadcaster:
Jonathan Stewart is a media and journalism expert from the United States with four years of experience as a writer and instructor. He accepted a foreign expert position with chinadaily.com.cn in June 2007 following the completion of his Master of Arts degree in International Relations and Comparative Politics.
