Handcuffs photo: VCG

 
The Ministry of Public Security has closed more than 250 illegal fourth-party payment platforms this year amid stronger efforts to battle cybercrime, the Office of Cyber Security of the Ministry of Public Security said on Thursday.

Fourth-party payment platforms aggregate the interfaces of service providers including third-party payment platforms and cooperative banks, aiming to illegally provide comprehensive payment and settlement services overseas, which often involves telecom network fraud and online gambling.

Since the government strengthened the regulations for online payment, the ministry has closed more than 250 illegal fourth-party payment platforms, as well as shutting down more than 370 gangs promoting the services. The ministry has arrested more than 23,000 suspects involved in 15,000 cases.

Earlier this year, the ministry, together with China’s cyberspace regulator, arrested more than 4,600 people suspected of illegal collection, provision and sale of personal information, in order to safeguard the security of citizens' personal information and interests.