China Releases 2026 Anti-Telecom Fraud Handbook to Combat Scams
China’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has released the 2026 Edition of the Anti-Telecom and Online Fraud Prevention Handbook, an updated guide designed to educate the public on emerging fraud tactics and strengthen prevention measures against increasingly sophisticated cyber scams. The handbook was officially published on June 11 by the MPS Criminal Investigation Bureau and reported by People’s Daily on June 14.
Context: A Persistent National Challenge
Telecom and online fraud has become one of China’s most pervasive criminal challenges. According to MPS data cited by CCTV News, in 2025 alone public security organs solved 258,000 telecom fraud cases, intercepted 3.6 billion fraudulent calls and 3.3 billion fraudulent SMS messages, and urgently froze 21.707 million yuan in fraudulent funds. Since October 2025, case incidence has declined for eight consecutive months year-on-year.
Speaking at an MPS press conference on June 12, Deputy Director of the MPS Criminal Investigation Bureau Zhu Lei described telecom fraud as “a typical transnational organized crime” that “has become a global public hazard and a difficult problem for global governance.”
What’s New in the 2026 Handbook
The updated handbook reflects the rapidly evolving tactics of fraudsters. Key additions include a new section on international call management, providing step-by-step guidance on how to block or reactivate overseas calls and SMS services with a single click. The handbook also introduces the “803 Anti-Fraud” AI agent app, a smart assistant featuring Q&A, consultation, and fraud dictionary modules to help citizens identify scams in real time.
According to Guangming Daily, the handbook’s “top 10 high-frequency case types” section has been updated with the latest criminal methods. A new section titled “Common Forms of Telecom Fraud ‘Tool People’ and Legal Consequences” uses illustrative cartoons to warn citizens against becoming unwitting accomplices to fraudsters. The legal section on joint punishment measures now includes real case examples to make consequences more tangible.
Emerging Fraud Trends
At the June 12 press conference, the MPS detailed four major shifts in fraud tactics. First, 66% of fraud now originates through social media, short video platforms, e-commerce, and gaming platforms rather than traditional phone calls or SMS. Second, fraudsters increasingly use niche chat apps to avoid detection and conduct deep psychological manipulation. Third, specialized remote-control apps with screen-sharing capabilities allow criminals to steal banking credentials remotely. Fourth, to evade digital fund tracking, fraudsters now demand victims withdraw cash or purchase gold and jewelry for physical pickup.
Zhu Lei noted that the top 10 fraud types now account for 85% of all cases. Task-based rebate fraud has the highest incidence at 25%, while虚假 network investment fraud causes the highest losses, accounting for approximately 40% of all telecom fraud losses.
Vulnerable Populations
The press conference highlighted growing risks for young people. He Enbin, head of the Anti-Fraud Detachment of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau, stated that those under 25 now account for nearly 15% of all fraud cases in Shanghai, with the youngest victim just seven years old. Common scams targeting youth include fake gaming equipment transactions, fan-chasing fraud, and livestream tipping scams.
For elderly citizens, Li Xiaoyan of the Beijing Municipal Public Security Bureau reported that cases targeting those over 60 dropped 78.4% in Beijing from January to May 2026 compared to the same period last year, thanks to intensified law enforcement. However, she warned that seniors remain vulnerable due to isolation and unfamiliarity with technology.
Distribution and Access
The handbook is distributed through a dual online-offline approach. Citizens can access the electronic version via the MPS Criminal Investigation Bureau’s WeChat account by sending the message “防诈手册” (anti-fraud handbook). Physical copies are available at select bank branches, telecom service halls, and community service stations nationwide.
Broader Anti-Fraud Campaign
The handbook release coincides with the sixth consecutive year of the “National Anti-Fraud in Action” awareness month campaign, jointly organized by the Central Propaganda Department and the MPS. The campaign reflects China’s recognition that public education is a critical component of fraud prevention. As Zhu Lei emphasized, “Telecom fraud itself is a preventable crime, and propaganda and prevention are crucial to reducing case incidence.”
What to Watch For
China’s sustained crackdown on telecom fraud continues to evolve. International coordination mechanisms with Myanmar and Thailand have led to the dismantling of large-scale fraud parks in northern Myanmar, Myawaddy, and Cambodia, with over 7,600 Chinese nationals suspected of fraud repatriated. The effectiveness of the new handbook in reaching rural and less-connected populations, and the integration of the “803 Anti-Fraud” AI agent with existing platforms like the 96110 hotline, will be key indicators of the campaign’s continued impact.