Photo: VCG

Since the beginning of this year, a special operation by China's Ministry of Public Security to crack down on "internet water armies" with a focus on activities such as rumor-mongering for internet traffic, extorting public opinion, and paid post deletions, has so far seen over 900 cases solved and more than 5,000 suspects apprehended. 

The Ministry of Public Security revealed several typical cases on Wednesday. 

The public security authorities in Zaozhuang, East China's Shandong Province, have cracked down on a case involving a media company spreading rumors to gain internet traffic. 

The local authorities found that the company purchased a large number of self-media accounts that had been registered under real names. Using artificial intelligence tools, they fabricated rumors and released them in bulk, with a total of over 3 million videos and posts. The authorities have arrested 87 suspects and seized nearly 100,000 illegal accounts.

In another case resolved by the public security authorities in Wenzhou, East China's Zhejiang, the authorities found that a man surnamed Xu and his associates had set up a company, recruited internet writers to form a content-rewriting team, and used AI tools to rehash old news, resulting in the widespread dissemination of false information online. They illegally earned over 2 million yuan ($ 277,460). The authorities later apprehended 17 suspects.

In Fuzhou, East China's Jiangxi Province, police uncovered a case of online extortion orchestrated by a man surnamed Zou and his associates. Investigations revealed that they had set up a network media company, operated multiple self-media accounts, and amassed large quantities of negative business information. 

By publishing content on various online platforms, they coerced the affected businesses into paying money. Nearly 10,000 posts were made, targeting over 100 companies, resulting in illegal profits exceeding 10 million yuan ($1.38 million). A total of 11 suspects have been arrested.

Another case in Suqian, East China's Jiangsu province revealed that a man surnamed Zong and his associates had established a studio, purchased multiple software programs and a large number of mobile phones, and manipulated numerous online accounts. 

They were paid to make fake engagement such as forwarding, likes, and comments. This operation generated illegal profits worth tens of millions of yuan, and seven suspects have been arrested.