Chinese police have captured 88 economic crime suspects who fled overseas through Operation Fox Hunt 2014 which was launched in July.
The Ministry of Public Security dispatched dozens of working teams to over 40 countries to catch fugitives wanted on charges of corruption and economic crimes, as well as to retrieve their illicit gains. Some of the suspects have been on the run in Canada, the U.S., and Europe, where China has no extradition treaties. Police said they are actively seeking cooperation with their counterparts in those countries.
Apart from the 88 fugitives already captured, 40 more are in active discussions with police to surrender and return to China, the ministry said.
Zhu Yujie, a Shanxi businessman who has been on the run for a decade on loan fraud charges, surrendered himself and returned to China from Cambodia in August after being “persuaded” by police.
“I no longer need to worry about being caught,” Zhu said. “By surrendering and coming back to China, I can eventually end my crimes and have the chance to start a new life.”
U.S.-based Global Financial Integrity estimates that between 2002 and 2011, $1.08 trillion of illicit funds were transferred out of China.
In the meantime, China authorities are stepping up efforts to crack down on “naked officials” whose spouses and children have migrated overseas, including removing them from their leadership positions.
Sources: Xinhua News, Bloomberg Business Week, China Daily (中国日报)
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Hui Zhi is the Senior Manager for Content with the China Compliance Digest, where a version of this post first appeared.
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