Core Viewpoint - Money laundering crimes severely threaten national security and financial safety, with the crime of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds being the most prevalent in practice [1]. Summary by Sections Overview of Money Laundering Crimes - From 2020 to 2024, prosecutorial authorities filed 230,200 cases of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, while courts adjudicated 220,900 first-instance cases [1]. Legal Interpretations and Case Examples - On August 25, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate jointly issued interpretations regarding the application of laws in cases of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, along with six selected typical cases to enhance public awareness of anti-money laundering [1]. Case 1: Virtual Currency - Three individuals were sentenced to prison and fined for using virtual currency to help transfer criminal funds, knowing they were proceeds of crime [2][3]. Case 2: Large Gold Transactions - An individual was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and fined 50,000 RMB for facilitating the transfer of criminal proceeds through large gold transactions [5]. Case 3: Recycling Industry - An individual was sentenced to six years in prison for selling road steel plates, knowing they were criminal proceeds, demonstrating the use of the recycling industry to conceal crime [9]. Case 4: Upstream Crimes - In a case involving illegal sand mining, individuals were convicted of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds despite the upstream crime not being legally adjudicated [12][13]. Case 5: Distinction of Knowledge - A court clarified the distinction between concealing and disguising criminal proceeds and aiding crimes, adjusting the conviction based on the individual's knowledge and the nature of assistance provided [16][17]. Case 6: Role in Criminal Chain - The court evaluated the defendants' roles in the criminal chain and imposed sentences based on their acknowledgment of guilt and return of illegal gains [21].

Core Viewpoint - Money laundering crimes severely threaten national security and financial safety, with the crime of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds being the most prevalent in practice [1] Group 1: Legal Proceedings and Statistics - From 2020 to 2024, the prosecution of the crime of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds reached 230,200 cases, while the courts concluded 220,900 first-instance cases [2] - On August 25, the Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate jointly issued an interpretation regarding the application of laws in cases of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, along with six selected typical cases to enhance public awareness of anti-money laundering [2] Group 2: Case Examples - Case 1: Three individuals were sentenced to prison and fined for using virtual currency to help transfer criminal funds, knowing they were proceeds of crime [3] - Case 2: An individual was sentenced to three years and six months in prison and fined for cooperating in a large gold transaction that concealed criminal proceeds [6] - Case 3: An individual was sentenced to six years in prison for selling road steel plates, knowing they were of unknown origin and likely criminal proceeds [9] - Case 4: In a case involving illegal sand mining, individuals were sentenced for transferring and transporting sand they knew was criminal proceeds, despite the upstream crime not being legally adjudicated [12] - Case 5: A court re-evaluated a case to correctly classify the crime as concealing and disguising criminal proceeds rather than aiding information network crime, leading to a different sentencing [15] - Case 6: Two defendants were sentenced to two years in prison and fined for their roles in the criminal chain, with the court considering their acknowledgment of guilt and return of illegal gains [18]

Core Viewpoint - The Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate jointly released an interpretation regarding the handling of cases related to concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, effective from August 26, 2023, aiming to strengthen legal measures against money laundering and related crimes [1][3]. Group 1: Legal Framework and Implementation - The interpretation consists of 12 articles focusing on five main areas, including tightening the criminal law framework to address evolving criminal methods [3][4]. - It emphasizes strict recognition of the "knowledge" requirement for the crime of concealing criminal proceeds, ensuring that judicial authorities adhere to evidence-based principles [4][5]. - The interpretation establishes comprehensive criteria for determining criminal liability, considering factors such as the relationship with upstream crimes, subjective malice, methods of conduct, amounts involved, and consequences [5][6]. Group 2: Penalty Standards and Case Examples - The interpretation optimizes the standards for aggravated penalties based on the severity of the crime, differentiating between various types of upstream crimes and setting specific monetary thresholds for penalties [5][6]. - It introduces circumstances for leniency in sentencing, encouraging cooperation with judicial authorities in tracing upstream crimes, which may lead to reduced penalties [5][6]. - Six typical cases of punishing the concealment of criminal proceeds were published, highlighting the connection to telecom fraud and the judicial response to increasingly sophisticated money laundering techniques [6][7].

Core Viewpoint - Money laundering crimes severely threaten national security and financial safety, with the crime of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds being the most prevalent in practice [1][2]. Summary by Relevant Sections Legal Context and Statistics - From 2020 to 2024, prosecutorial authorities filed 230,200 cases of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, while courts concluded 220,900 first-instance cases [2]. - The Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate jointly issued an interpretation on handling such cases, clarifying the circumstances of this crime and emphasizing a comprehensive assessment of social harm based on various factors [2][4]. Nature of the Crime - The crime of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds has evolved from the 1979 law on handling stolen goods and is the most widely applicable money laundering offense [3]. - The rise in cases is linked to the increase in upstream crimes such as telecom fraud and online gambling, necessitating precise legal interpretations to address these issues [3][4]. Judicial Guidance - The new interpretation aims to guide judicial authorities in effectively punishing various types of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, ensuring that offenders cannot evade justice [5]. - A comprehensive recognition standard is adopted for determining guilt, considering the relationship between upstream and downstream crimes, subjective malice, methods of conduct, amounts involved, and criminal consequences [6]. Sentencing Standards - Significant modifications have been made to the sentencing standards for serious cases of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds [7]. - The new interpretation specifies that the threshold for serious cases is now based on multiple factors, including the number of concealments and the nature of the property involved [8]. - For lower-level property crimes like theft and fraud, the sentencing threshold for related concealing and disguising crimes is set at 500,000 yuan, while for higher-level crimes, it is set at 5 million yuan [8][9].

Group 1 - The article discusses a case where an individual, Chen, was convicted for concealing and hiding criminal proceeds through the recycling of scrap metal, highlighting the judicial efforts to combat such crimes [1][2] - From July 2018 to March 2021, Li, who was previously convicted of contract fraud, deceived victims into leasing steel plates under false pretenses, leading to the acquisition of over 5,000 steel plates, which were then sold to Chen [1] - Chen knowingly purchased these steel plates at prices significantly below their actual value, resulting in illegal profits of over 6 million yuan from a total expenditure of over 16 million yuan [1] Group 2 - The article emphasizes that criminals often exploit the scrap metal recycling industry to engage in receiving and selling stolen goods, which is a common method of concealing criminal proceeds [2] - According to regulations, operators of scrap metal recycling companies are obligated to verify the legality of the sources of the metals they acquire, especially when the items are clearly not scrap and priced below market value [2] - The judicial authorities stress that Chen's actions not only involved significant illegal profits but also contributed to the underlying contract fraud, thereby undermining market order and the legal business environment [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate jointly released an interpretation regarding the handling of criminal cases related to concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, which aims to strengthen the legal framework against money laundering and related crimes, particularly in the context of rising telecommunications fraud and online gambling [1][3]. Summary by Sections Legal Framework - The interpretation consists of 12 articles and will take effect on August 26, 2025, providing clearer judicial guidelines for handling cases of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds [3]. - Article 312 of the Criminal Law defines the crime of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, with penalties ranging from less than three years of imprisonment to seven years for serious cases [1]. Key Changes - The interpretation tightens the legal net by expanding the definition of "other methods" to include various actions that can conceal or disguise criminal proceeds, such as intermediary transactions, fund transfers, and cross-border asset transfers [5]. - It emphasizes the strict requirement of subjective knowledge, ensuring that individuals are only prosecuted if they knowingly handle criminal proceeds, thus preventing overreach in legal interpretations [5][6]. Adjustments in Penalties - The threshold for "serious circumstances" has been adjusted to 500,000 and 5 million yuan, depending on the type of upstream crime, to ensure proportionality in sentencing [8][10]. - The adjustment addresses discrepancies in sentencing between upstream and downstream crimes, particularly in cases involving illegal mining and related activities [12]. Encouragement for Cooperation - The interpretation includes provisions for leniency in sentencing for individuals who actively cooperate with judicial authorities in tracing upstream crimes, promoting a collaborative approach to law enforcement [12]. - Special consideration is given to minors and students involved in such crimes, allowing for potential dismissal or non-prosecution based on the specifics of the case [12]. Impact on Crime Statistics - From 2020 to 2024, prosecutors initiated 230,200 cases of concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, with courts concluding 220,900 first-instance cases, indicating a significant deterrent effect on telecommunications fraud and online gambling [14]. Case Example - A notable case involved a jewelry store owner who facilitated large purchases of gold with funds from telecommunications fraud, resulting in a sentence of three years and six months, highlighting the practical application of the new interpretation [15][21].

Core Viewpoint - The Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate jointly issued an interpretation regarding the handling of criminal cases related to concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, effective from August 26, 2025, aiming to strengthen the legal framework against money laundering and related crimes [1][2]. Group 1: Legal Framework Enhancement - The interpretation consists of 12 articles, focusing on tightening the criminal law network to address evolving and hidden criminal methods [2]. - It clarifies that the methods of crime under Article 312 of the Criminal Law include any actions that can conceal or disguise criminal proceeds, guiding judicial authorities to punish various forms of such behaviors [2]. Group 2: Standards and Definitions - The interpretation emphasizes strict criteria for determining "knowledge" of criminal proceeds, aiming to prevent the over-expansion of criminal liability by ensuring that judicial authorities adhere to evidence-based principles [2][3]. - It introduces a comprehensive standard for determining criminality, allowing for prosecution even if the amount involved does not meet previous thresholds, focusing on the nature of the upstream crime and the severity of the concealment actions [3][4]. Group 3: Penalty Optimization - The interpretation optimizes the standards for aggravated penalties based on the type of upstream crime, establishing different monetary thresholds for serious crimes, such as 5 million for severe cases and 500,000 for less severe cases [4]. - It addresses inconsistencies in sentencing between upstream and downstream crimes, ensuring that penalties are proportionate and aligned with the severity of the underlying offenses [4]. Group 4: Encouragement for Cooperation - The interpretation introduces provisions for leniency in sentencing for individuals who actively cooperate with judicial authorities in tracing upstream crimes, promoting efforts to recover losses for the public [4].

Core Viewpoint - The Supreme People's Court and the Supreme People's Procuratorate jointly issued an interpretation regarding the handling of criminal cases related to concealing and disguising criminal proceeds, effective from August 26, 2025, aiming to strengthen the legal framework against money laundering and related crimes [1]. Group 1: Legal Framework - The interpretation consists of 12 articles, focusing on tightening the criminal legal network to address evolving and hidden criminal methods, ensuring that all actions that conceal or disguise criminal proceeds are punishable [2]. - It emphasizes strict criteria for determining "knowledge" of criminal proceeds, aiming to prevent the over-expansion of criminal liability by ensuring that judicial authorities adhere to evidence-based principles [2]. Group 2: Crime Definition and Standards - The interpretation establishes a comprehensive recognition standard for crimes, moving away from a strict monetary threshold previously set between 3,000 to 10,000 yuan, allowing for prosecution even if the amount is below this range under certain severe circumstances [3]. - It optimizes the standards for aggravated punishment, differentiating between various types of upstream crimes, with thresholds set at 5 million yuan for serious crimes and 500,000 yuan for less severe crimes [4]. Group 3: Sentencing and Cooperation - The interpretation addresses sentencing inconsistencies between upstream and downstream crimes, raising the threshold for serious cases of concealing criminal proceeds to 500,000 yuan for high-severity upstream crimes [4]. - It introduces leniency for individuals who actively cooperate with judicial authorities in tracing upstream crimes, encouraging collaboration to recover losses for the public [5].

Group 1 - The case involves individuals, Liang and Zhang, who were engaged in the illegal transfer of gold that was obtained through criminal activities, with a total value exceeding 2.02 million RMB [2][3] - Liang received gold from victims and was instructed to verify its authenticity by burning it before handing it over to Zhang, who then facilitated its transfer to an overseas buyer [2][3] - Both individuals were aware that the gold they were handling was criminal proceeds, yet they continued to assist in its transfer, leading to their conviction under the law [3] Group 2 - The court sentenced Liang and Zhang to prison terms ranging from two years to seven months, along with fines between 20,000 RMB and 5,000 RMB [3] - According to Article 312 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, individuals who knowingly conceal or transfer criminal proceeds can face imprisonment of up to seven years, depending on the severity of the case [5]

Core Viewpoint - A significant investment fraud scheme has emerged, involving multiple victims across Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Guangdong, where individuals lost over 400,000 yuan in gold investments through a fraudulent investment app that became inaccessible after the gold was supposedly signed for [1][6]. Group 1: Fraud Mechanism - Victims were lured into a fraudulent investment scheme through a WeChat stock trading group, where they were promised high returns by a supposed expert [2][3]. - The scheme involved purchasing gold as a form of "physical deposit" to bypass investment limits, with victims instructed to send the gold to a designated address [3][4]. - Once the gold was sent, victims' accounts showed inflated balances, but access was restricted, leading to further demands for more gold purchases to "unfreeze" accounts [3][6]. Group 2: Criminal Operations - The criminal operation involved a network of individuals, including a key figure named Huang, who coordinated the collection and transfer of gold from victims [4][5]. - The operation utilized a method of disguising the transfer of funds by converting them into gold, which was then physically moved to evade law enforcement [7][8]. - Evidence collection focused on the logistics of gold purchasing, shipping, and signing for deliveries, which was crucial for prosecuting the involved parties [7][8]. Group 3: Legal Proceedings - The case has led to the prosecution of individuals involved in the scheme, with Huang receiving a sentence of two years and three months, along with a fine of 12,000 yuan [8]. - Ongoing investigations are targeting additional accomplices and the mastermind behind the scheme, indicating a broader network of fraud [8].