criminal Photo: VCG

A total of 14 Chinese nationals with Red Notice from Interpol for suspected cross-border gambling and telecommunication fraud were escorted and repatriated to China thanks to the close cooperation between the Chinese police and overseas law enforcement agencies. 

The 14 criminal suspects repatriated to China are currently being held in isolation following the epidemic control policy. 

The public security authorities will carry out further investigations in accordance with the law.

The large-scale repatriation came after China's crack down on cross-border gambling syndicates forced many gangs engaged in gambling and telecommunication fraud to flee from Southeast Asia to other countries. 

China's national public security authorities have been clamping down on cross-border gambling syndicates recruiting members and engaging in gambling activities and have shut down numerous offshore casinos and online gambling platforms since 2020. This has effectively curbed cross-border gambling activities, the People's Daily reported on Monday. 

However, pressure from the authorities made gangs flee from Southeast Asia to other parts of the world. These gangs continued to lure Chinese nationals to work abroad and coerce employees with threats of violence and illegal detention. This has seriously affected the property and legitimate rights and interests of Chinese and foreign citizens, according to People's Daily. 

In response to the situation, the Chinese Ministry of Public Security, with the strong support and coordination from the diplomatic authorities, has worked closely with foreign law enforcement agencies and recently repatriated 14 Chinese criminal suspects, sending a strong signal to those related in illegal and criminal acts.

The Chinese public security authorities also cracked another case related to cross-border gambling involving Macao tycoon Alvin Chau Cheok Wa, who admitted the opening of casinos on the Chinese mainland and facilitating Chinese citizens to gamble overseas.