Ministry to strengthen efforts to trace missing or abducted Chinese abroad

The Ministry of Public Security said on Wednesday that it has directed police across the country to comprehensively analyze cases where Chinese citizens went missing or their personal freedom is restricted overseas, and make all out efforts to investigate the cases.

Recently, there was frequent occurrence of incidents of Chinese citizens being deceived into traveling overseas and then going missing or getting trapped. These people's family members have called for help on social media and through a number of other channels, the ministry said in a news release.

The ministry said it attaches great importance to such information, and is making all efforts to rescue the people with the assistance from foreign affairs departments and Chinese embassies and consulates.

Scam groups abroad often lure people into engaging in telecommunications fraud or other offenses overseas under the guise of "high-paying jobs with free meals and accommodation, reimbursement of flight tickets and people especially designated to pick you up", the ministry said.

They also deceive people under the guise of business trips or free travel, the ministry added, warning the public to heighten vigilance and avoid falling victim.