On November 8, a Chinese public official, Wang Moumou, was sentenced to life imprisonment after selling state secrets to foreign entities in exchange for cryptocurrency. The People’s Court issued the verdict, highlighting Wang’s sale of confidential state information to foreign agents to recover losses from his failed crypto investments. This case reinforces China’s strict stance on espionage and crypto-related crimes.
Crypto Investments Lead to Espionage Scandal
Reports indicate that Wang, burdened by debts from unsuccessful crypto investments, sought part-time work on an online forum, revealing his civil servant status and attracting foreign agents. Over time, Wang exchanged sensitive government information for more than 1 million yuan in cryptocurrency transactions. Initial exchanges included minor documents, but as payments increased, Wang provided higher-level state secrets. Investigators discovered several classified documents on his computer, obtained by bypassing security protocols.
Under China’s Criminal Law, espionage carries severe penalties, including life imprisonment. The People’s Court stripped Wang of all political rights following his conviction, underscoring the Chinese government’s zero-tolerance approach to national security breaches. Additionally, national security officials cited Wang’s department for failing to implement robust confidentiality protocols, instructing corrective measures.
China’s Ongoing Crackdown on Crypto-Related Crimes
Wang’s case is part of a broader crackdown on crypto-linked espionage and fraud. China recently extradited Zhang Moumou, the orchestrator of a $14 billion crypto pyramid scheme, under the 1999 China-Thailand Extradition Treaty. Zhang’s MBI Group, operational since 2012, allegedly defrauded over 10 million people with promises of high returns through virtual currencies.
In another case, eight Taiwanese individuals were sentenced for espionage after it was revealed that Chinese intelligence used cryptocurrency to pay Taiwanese military personnel for state secrets. Despite a domestic ban on crypto trading, this case highlighted how digital assets facilitate covert operations.
Heightened Vigilance on National Security
Amid these incidents, China’s national security agency is urging citizens to report suspicious activities linked to the sale of state secrets. By reinforcing strict confidentiality laws and strengthening penalties, China aims to deter crypto-related espionage and uphold national security.
CentBit.Online
