山东烟台福山警方揭开“闲置账号”交易背后的犯罪链条

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the illegal trade of verified WeChat store accounts, which are being sold at inflated prices, posing significant risks to personal information security and contributing to various criminal activities [1][3]. Group 1: Illegal Trading Activities - The Yantai police successfully dismantled an illegal trading chain involving over 300 verified WeChat store accounts, which contained real names, facial recognition data, and bank card information [1]. - The suspect, identified as Qiao, acquired these accounts from small businesses at low prices, tested their functionalities, and then resold them at a marked-up price, exploiting the accounts' complete information for profit [2][3]. - The illegal market for such accounts has expanded, with individuals acquiring unverified social media accounts and reselling them, leading to significant financial gains [3]. Group 2: Criminal Implications - The purchased accounts are primarily used by criminals to impersonate legitimate businesses, conduct telecom fraud, launder money, and disrupt market order [3]. - According to Chinese law, selling or providing personal information without consent can lead to severe legal consequences, with Qiao's earnings exceeding the threshold for serious offenses [3][4]. - The police emphasize that trading accounts for profit undermines the real-name registration system and can result in both civil and criminal liabilities for those involved [4].