China Police Uncover Four Cases of Online Publicity Extortion
Chinese authorities have revealed four cases where companies were extorted through negative online posts and fabricated narratives. Those involved have been apprehended.
Chinese cybersecurity authorities have uncovered four cases where criminal groups extorted companies by publishing negative or fabricated information online. The authorities are investigating these cases as part of the broader "Net Clean - 2026" operation aimed at combating online criminal activities.
In one instance, a group in Shanxi province established online media accounts and published disparaging posts about prominent local businesses. They then demanded payment to remove the content or to compel companies to participate in "business club" events. This group is suspected of extorting over 1.2 million yuan (approximately $165,000 USD).
In another case, also in Shanxi, individuals fabricated and disseminated false negative information targeting companies. Subsequently, they coerced these companies into arranging health check-ups for their employees at a facility operated by the group. Refusal led to further dissemination of damaging content, harming the companies' reputations. In this instance, the suspects allegedly obtained over 2 million yuan (approximately $275,000 USD).
Other cases involved methods such as filming "staged accident" videos and demanding property from businesses and individual entrepreneurs. In one such case in Shandong province, the implicated group collected over 89,000 yuan (approximately $12,000 USD).
Authorities are advising the public and businesses to preserve evidence and report any instances of online extortion or harassment to the police immediately, rather than attempting to resolve matters privately with the perpetrators.