Telecom defrauders to be banned from internet services for 5 years

People suspected of telecom fraud, personal information infringement and money laundering will be listed as "bad credit" accounts and restricted from applying for new telecommunication services for up to five years, says a regulation released in East China's Fujian Province.

The regulation, published by the Fujian provincial communications administration and public security bureau, aims to curb telecom fraud and establish a real-name registration credit system for telecom users, the China News Service reported.

According to the regulation, bad credit accounts refer to those that use telephone, text messages, the internet and other information transmission media to defraud, break credit card management, violate personal information, launder money or commit other crimes.

The suspects will be restricted from getting new telecom services for between 1 and 5 years.

During the restricted period, they can only keep one phone number and are banned from revoking the number to get a new one.　

Communication authorities will also create a bad credit account management system, providing collection and inquiry services for supervision departments and telecom enterprises.

Public security authorities across China have launched a campaign to crack down on telecom fraud until October 31, the Ministry of Public Securitysaid in June.

A total 44,000 telecom fraud cases were uncovered from January to May.

The ministry asked public security agencies to hunt for fugitives using conventional and technological means as well as to enhance their capability to counter new types of crimes.