Court’s Hard Line Against WeChat Fraud with an Ironic Twist

The People’s Court of Gucheng County, Xiangyang City, has delivered a verdict in the case of a certain Feng, who since 2018 has been reselling WeChat and QQ accounts, gaining access to personal information of citizens. In total, the accused made deals with more than 900,000 accounts, earning more than 880,000 yuan ($126,000). Feng was first detained on January 28, 2021, but was released on bail. In February of the same year, part of the illegally obtained funds – 170,000 yuan – was returned. By April 2023, he had acquired more than 100 WeChat accounts for resale once again.

The court deemed Feng’s actions particularly serious, violating personal information protection laws, and sentenced him to three years in prison with a three-year reprieve, a fine of 20,000 yuan, and confiscation of illegal proceeds. In China, WeChat (Weixin) and QQ are dominant, multifunctional platforms by Tencent, replacing many Western services. WeChat serves as a universal app for practically everything (communication, payments, social networks), while QQ remains a popular messenger with a strong focus on gaming and a youth audience.

Recent developments in China have shown an increasing crackdown on cybercrime by both authorities and tech companies. In the last two years, numerous campaigns to bolster cybersecurity and reduce unauthorized data transactions have emerged. In parallel, tech giants have fortified their systems to detect and prevent similar illegal activities. These measures reflect the government’s intensified efforts to secure digital space amidst growing digitalization.

Amidst these digital developments, platforms like WeChat and QQ remain deeply ingrained in Chinese society. WeChat, with its colossal user base, merges seamlessly into the daily life of citizens, affecting how laws are perceived and enforced around digital conduct. These platforms’ significant role in communication and commerce magnifies the impact of any legal actions associated with them, suggesting China’s focus on establishing robust legal frameworks tailored to ever-evolving digital environments.