China arrests 15,000 for cyber crime

Chinese authorities say police have arrested 15,000 people on suspicion of cyber crime, including hacking, online fraud and illegal sale of personal information.

The Ministry of Public Security said on Tuesday that police have investigated more than 7,400 cases of alleged online crimes, leading to the arrests. It did not say when the arrests were made.

Authorities launched a six-month special operation to “clean the internet” in July, amid a growing crackdown on public dissent.

The ministry said the special operation has snared suspects who hacked into websites of companies, banks and government agencies.

Some obtained personal information illegally, some altered web information or uploaded content related to online gambling, and some used the internet to defraud others, it said.

China also prosecutes improper online speech, although the ministry’s announcement did not list cases involving that.