In recent years, a practice known as “long-distance fishing” has emerged in China. This practice refers to local public security authorities in economically disadvantaged regions resorting to abnormal law enforcement measures in other areas due to financial constraints. They create false criminal connections for businesses and then forcibly seize assets of private enterprises across provinces. Recently, a new form of “long-distance fishing” has been targeting individuals engaged in online sales activities.
One instance took place in Shaoxing, Zhejiang Province, where a person sold a watch online for 400,000 yuan. Shortly after receiving the payment into their bank account, the account was frozen, leading to the individual being apprehended by the police on suspicion of involvement in telecom fraud. This case is just one of many incidents of individuals being caught up in the web of “long-distance fishing.”
On October 31st, a woman in Shaoxing shared a video online holding her ID card, narrating how her husband was arrested by the police in Shiyan City, Hubei Province, for receiving payment related to telecom fraud. The woman expressed her distress over the unjust situation, highlighting that they were honest individuals conducting legitimate business and could not fathom how they ended up entangled in such a predicament.
The online community expressed outrage, questioning the escalation of “long-distance fishing” to individual sellers. There were suggestions for conducting transactions in cash or through barter to avoid such legal entanglements. The growing trend of individuals facing arrest following the sale of luxury items indicates a concerning pattern unfolding across mainland China.
The story of individuals falling victim to this phenomenon extends beyond Shaoxing. In mid-October, a woman in Zhejiang sold a Rolex watch for 148,000 yuan, only to have her bank account frozen on suspicions of telecom fraud. Similarly, Mr. Ma in Nanjing had 200,000 yuan forcibly withdrawn by authorities in Jiangsu after selling a Rolex watch, while another 256,000 yuan transfer is pending resolution by the police in Shandong.
The aggressive tactics employed by law enforcement have stirred controversy and raised questions about due process and property rights. Victims like Mr. Ma have voiced concerns over the arbitrary seizure of funds without proper consent or investigation, highlighting the lack of accountability in the enforcement of these measures.
The cases mentioned above shed light on the concerning trend of unauthorized cross-regional law enforcement activities carried out by public security authorities. In April, a report by Guangdong Provincial Research Center revealed an uptick in such practices across cities in the Guangdong area, indicating a pattern of targeting private enterprises for financial gains.
The excessive actions taken by authorities, including arrests and asset seizures, have drawn sharp criticism and calls for accountability. Instances where individuals selling luxury items face criminal charges and asset confiscation underscore the need for legal reform and oversight to prevent instances of abuse and exploitation by law enforcement agencies.
The plight of individuals like those in Shaoxing and Nanjing, caught in the web of “long-distance fishing,” serve as a wake-up call about the urgent need for legal safeguards and transparency in law enforcement practices. The government’s pledge to curb arbitrary and profit-driven law enforcement must be backed by concrete actions and mechanisms to hold accountable those responsible for overreaching and infringing on citizens’ rights.