On May 12, in Shaoxing, Zhejiang, a news that shocked the whole country came, and a large gang was wiped out by the police. They specifically used online platforms to organize prostitution across provinces, involving up to 312 people. Among them, the most poignant are the 41 girls, 7 of whom are still minors, and the youngest is only 14 years old. Many of these girls turned out to be the girlfriends of the gang members.
In the late spring of 2023, the Shaoxing police received clues that there was a huge cyber gang operating in the shadows, and they were not only involved in online fraud, but also more serious inter-provincial prostitution. The police immediately sprang into action to investigate the clue in depth.
They use social platforms such as WeChat and QQ to win over customers, and then organize and dispatch prostitution activities through various hidden online channels. The core of the gang is a staggering 312 members, including technical experts, network promoters and some long-time social network veterans.
Forty-one teenage girls from unstable family backgrounds were involved, most of whom were lured by gang members with high paychecks and false affection. Seven of these girls are minors, the youngest of whom is as young as 14 years old. To make matters worse, many of these teenage girls turned out to be the girlfriends of the gang members, a relationship that made it even more difficult for them to escape the control of the gang.
During the investigation, the police found that the gang's operation was very stealthy, using encrypted chats and anonymous web services to hide its whereabouts and traces of activities. They also have temporary reception points across the country to accommodate customers who make appointments online.
On May 12, 2024, police launched simultaneous raids in Shaoxing and several other provinces, destroying the huge gang in one fell swoop. During the operation, the police arrested 312 gang members, rescued 41 runaway girls, and ensured that the girls received follow-up psychological counselling and social help.
The action shook the whole society, and many people began to reflect on the issue of online safety and youth protection. The incident also attracted widespread media and public attention, with many expressing sympathy for the teenage girls and anger at the criminal gang through social media.
This large-scale crackdown across provinces shows the determination and ability of the police to combat cybercrime. Although the gang used advanced technology and complex network structures to avoid legal punishment, they did not escape justice in the end.