Chinese police have announced the dismantling of several online extortion rings that targeted businesses by fabricating negative online content and demanding payment for its removal. The crackdown, part of the ongoing ‘Net Cleanse-2026’ campaign, has brought to light four typical cases of online public opinion extortion.
Case 1: Liu Moumou and Associates Extortion Case
In Shanxi’s Taiyuan, authorities apprehended four suspects believed to be part of a sophisticated online extortion operation. The group, led by Liu Moumou, the legal representative of a technology company, established a self-media network called the ‘Provincial Business Club.’ They strategically posted negative articles about prominent local enterprises, coercing these businesses into contacting them for removal. Under the guise of ‘joining the business club,’ ‘signing promotional agreements,’ or ‘sponsoring annual events,’ the group extorted money, amassing over 1.2 million yuan.
Case 2: Ma Moumou and Associates Forced Transaction and Pick-up/Provocation Case
Also in Taiyuan, police arrested Ma Moumou and Cui Moumou for fabricating and disseminating false negative information to engage in forced transactions and disruptive behavior. Since the beginning of 2023, the duo created online accounts to publish fabricated negative posts about various enterprises and public institutions. They then leveraged this content to force the targeted organizations into paying for services at medical examination centers operated by Ma Moumou, generating illegal profits. When organizations refused, the pair escalated their tactics, using their online influence to spread further false information, disrupt operations, and damage reputations. The total illicit gains for this group exceeded 2 million yuan.
Case 3: Qi Moumou and Huang Moumou Extortion Case
In Weihai, Shandong, police busted an online public opinion extortion ring led by Qi Moumou. Qi Moumou, along with Huang Moumou and others, created self-media accounts designed to build a ‘justice advocate’ persona, attracting a significant online following. They then exploited this influence by staging ‘staged accident’ videos (‘pengci’ videos) and extorting money from multiple businesses and individual proprietors. This operation generated over 89,000 yuan in illicit funds.
Case 4: Zhou Moumou Extortion Case
In Wuhan, Hubei, police arrested Zhou Moumou for online public opinion extortion. Zhou Moumou registered accounts on various self-media platforms to actively collect and publish negative posts about companies. They then implied that businesses could ‘pay to avoid disaster,’ demanding money for post removal once contacted. This scheme yielded over 100,000 yuan.
The Ministry of Public Security issued a warning to businesses and individuals: If you encounter organized online harassment, malicious extortion, aggressive debt collection, or illegal traffic diversion, it is crucial to preserve evidence and report the incidents to the police immediately. Compromising with such illegal activities only emboldens the perpetrators.
