China dismantle 6 billion yuan (about US$888–895 million) National-Asset Unfreezing fraud ring — 257 detained

China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) announced that police have dismantled a major transnational "national asset unfreezing" (民族资产解冻) fraud ring.

• Total Detained: 257 suspects
• Locations: China, Laos, Singapore and Cambodia
• Illicit Funds: Exceeding 6 billion yuan (approx. US$888–895 million)

According to official reports, Jilin police led the probe under MPS direction after detecting the network in January 2026.

• 101 suspects arrested in China after 9 fraud sites were dismantled
• 156 arrested abroad, 110 in Vientiane, Laos (28 July), 2 alleged financiers surnamed Hou and Nie in Singapore (14 August), and 44 in Cambodia (2 September).
• All overseas suspects have been successively escorted back to China.

How The Scam Worked

Investigators said the group fabricated state-endorsed projects, including names such as:

"Fuxing Huijin," "Elderly Care Action," "China Strong Agriculture," "Livelihood Protection" and "China Dream Realization"

They hired technical teams to build fraudulent mobile apps and used online platforms to recruit victims and agents.

Many victims were elderly people targeted over an extended period.

"National asset unfreezing" is a decades-old fraud typology that falsely claims frozen dynasty or Kuomintang-era wealth can be unlocked for a fee.

Modern rings blend forged official documents, social-media groups, small "unfreezing," certificate and tax fees, and promises of huge returns, a hybrid of rebate schemes, pyramid recruitment and investment fraud.

Cross-Border Timeline

• January 2026 - Jilin police identify the ring and fabricated projects
• 28 July 2026 - Laos arrests 110 in Vientiane; China dismantles 9 domestic sites (101 arrests)
• 14 August 2026 - Singapore arrests two alleged behind-the-scenes financiers
• 2 September 2026 - Cambodia arrests 44 linked suspects
• 23 September 2026 - MPS publicly announces the full-chain bust

MPS said the strikes covered financiers, core members, technical and operational staff, and agents.

Wider Campaign Context

• Since start of 2026: 180 national asset unfreezing cases solved, 75 fraud groups dismantled
• 20,000+ telecom and online fraud suspects repatriated in 2026 with Southeast Asian cooperation
• 10 September 2026: China launched the International Alliance Combating Telecom and Cyber Fraud in Lianyungang with dozens of countries plus UN and Interpol participation
• Same day: WeChat Security Center announced crackdown on scams using frozen national assets, national projects, blockchain tokens and stablecoins via group chats, unknown links and fake apps.