Official: 580 Chinese Fugitives in Other Countries

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 28, 2010
Filed at 12:29 a.m. EST

BEIJING (AP) — A top security official in China said nearly 600 fugitives involved with economic crimes such as fraud and embezzlement have fled China and are hiding in other countries.

The China Daily newspaper reported Tuesday that at least 580 fugitives accused of illegal fundraising, bank loan fraud, illegally transferring funds abroad and contract fraud are hiding out in other countries — mostly in North America and to Southeast Asia. The report quoted Meng Qingfeng, the head of the economic crime division at the Ministry of Public Security.

China's rapid economic growth has been accompanied by an alarming increase in economic crimes, with almost daily reports of officials stealing millions of dollars from government offices or companies.

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2010/12 ... ml?_r=1&hp