Core Viewpoint - The joint crackdown on "black and gray industries" in the financial sector is an ongoing exploration, with significant efforts being made to combat illegal activities in loans, insurance, and credit cards [1][2]. Group 1: Crackdown Efforts - In March 2023, the Ministry of Public Security and the Financial Regulatory Administration launched a six-month special operation targeting four types of illegal activities in the financial sector [1]. - Various financial institutions have actively engaged in public awareness campaigns regarding "black and gray industries" and have been collecting leads to assist in the crackdown [1]. - Law enforcement has made notable progress, with cases such as the first "anti-collection alliance" extortion case being solved in Jinan, and over 20 cases of black and gray industry crimes in the loan sector being uncovered in Shanghai this year [1][2]. Group 2: Challenges Faced - Despite the crackdown, financial institutions face challenges in identifying standards, investigation costs, and legal definitions related to "black and gray industries" [2]. - The emergence of new business models in the gray industry, particularly in the context of economic slowdown and rising non-performing loans, complicates the identification of illegal activities [2]. - The rapid growth of financial "black and gray industries" has been noted, with a tenfold increase since 2021 [2]. Group 3: Identification and Investigation Difficulties - The identification of malicious and false complaints is particularly challenging, as many illegal agents have transitioned from the collection industry and utilize their experience to manipulate the system [3]. - A report indicated that around 30% of consumer complaints contained similar text, highlighting the adaptability and sophistication of "black and gray industries" [3]. - Financial institutions struggle to verify the authenticity of claims made by debtors, necessitating collaboration with third-party platforms, which adds to the time and resource burden [4]. Group 4: Need for Collaborative Governance - The effective identification of genuinely distressed debtors is crucial, but institutions face significant hurdles in conducting thorough investigations [4]. - Some financial institutions are leveraging AI technology to enhance their risk management systems and identify abnormal complaint behaviors [4]. - A comprehensive approach involving cross-industry collaboration is essential to combat the proliferation of financial "black and gray industries," which disrupts financial order and harms legitimate consumers [4].