礼品卡交易掩藏着买卖外汇犯罪

Core Viewpoint - The rise of international gift cards has led to a new form of crime in China, where illegal trading of these cards is used to exploit currency exchange differences, posing a threat to financial order [1][6][7]. Group 1: Criminal Activities - A criminal gang was formed to illegally trade international gift cards, using a network company as a facade for their operations [2][3]. - The gang utilized cross-border chat applications to purchase gift cards from foreign holders and sold them domestically, profiting from the currency exchange rate differences [2][5]. - The total illegal operating amount for the network company reached 537.2 million yuan, while the trading volume for the trading company was 9.58 million yuan, with profits exceeding 7 million yuan from currency arbitrage [5]. Group 2: Legal Proceedings - The case was initiated after police received tips about illegal activities in the area, leading to the arrest of the gang members [4][6]. - The defendants claimed their actions were legal, but evidence from chat records and financial transactions indicated their awareness of the illegal nature of their activities [4][6]. - The court sentenced 20 defendants to prison terms ranging from 5 months to 7 years and 6 months, with fines imposed, which were upheld upon appeal [6][7]. Group 3: Regulatory Implications - The illegal trading of international gift cards disrupts financial order and poses significant challenges to economic security in China [7][8]. - The case highlights the need for improved regulatory mechanisms and collaboration among law enforcement, foreign exchange management, and market supervision agencies to combat such illicit activities [7][8]. - The characteristics of this crime include strong concealment, complex payment methods, and a well-organized structure, indicating a complete criminal industry chain [8].