Published on: May 30, 2025
Chinese cybersecurity police have dismantled a criminal network of 15 individuals accused of using online extortion tactics to blackmail businesses, according to a statement released Sunday by the Ministry of Public Security.
The suspects were part of an “internet water army” — groups paid to post online content, often weaponized for cyber blackmail. Police seized more than 20 devices and described the case as a “full-chain crackdown” on organized online extortion.
The investigation began in Laizhou, Shandong Province, after a local business reported a suspicious call. The caller claimed to be a journalist demanding 5,000 yuan (about $694) to prevent the release of negative environmental claims about the company. Authorities soon uncovered a coordinated gang led by suspects Chen and Wei.
Since 2022, the group has allegedly posed as media personnel to spread damaging content and extort payments under the promise of favorable coverage. Police say the gang disrupted business operations and public trust by exploiting companies’ fear of bad publicity.
China’s criminal law treats repeated or large-scale online blackmail, including threats to publish or delete information, as punishable extortion. The investigation is ongoing, with several suspects now in custody.