Shanghai, China – A man has been arrested for spreading false rumors about Shanghai’s financial difficulties and its alleged borrowing of 10 billion yuan from temples. The rumors, which were widely circulated online, caused significant public concern and have been swiftly debunked by authorities.
On July 2, a photo text that claimed Shanghai is facing financial difficulties and has borrowed 10 billion yuan from temples was rapidly shared across various online platforms, garnering widespread attention and briefly trending. However, the Shanghai Municipal Cyberspace Administration quickly contacted journalists from the Seek Truth program of Shanghai Radio and Television and the Shanghai Network Rumor Refutation program of Shanghai News to verify the situation and conduct a refutation. Subsequently, NetEase News also confirmed that it had not published any such information.
In response to the rumors, the Shanghai Police Bureau of Changning District immediately launched an investigation and apprehended the suspect, Sun Mouming, on July 3 in an out-of-province city. Investigations revealed that Sun, who primarily engages in various commercial activities in the Yangtze River Delta region, often boasts about obtaining inside information during his interactions with others. To enhance his credibility, Sun learned to use image editing software to combine his speculative information with well-known media headlines, sending the doctored images to others to demonstrate the reliability of his sources.
On July 1, Sun fabricated the content about Shanghai’s financial struggles and borrowing from temples, searched for the names of some Shanghai temples online, and used the software to add the NetEase logo to create the rumor photo. He then sent the image to his friends via WeChat, leading to its widespread dissemination and causing severe social impact.
Sun Mouming, currently charged with disturbing public order, has been legally approved for arrest by the procuratorial authorities. The case is under further investigation. Police emphasized that the internet is not a lawless place and will pursue legal liability for those who fabricate false information, including through video editing and image splicing. Those with severe cases that constitute crimes will be prosecuted under the criminal law.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible online behavior and the consequences of spreading false information. As social media continues to play a significant role in the dissemination of news, it is crucial for individuals to verify the authenticity of information before sharing it with others. The swift action by the authorities in this case highlights the commitment to maintaining public order and credibility in the digital age.
Key Points:
- A man was arrested for spreading false rumors about Shanghai’s financial struggles and temple loans.
- The rumors were widely shared online and caused significant public concern.
- The Shanghai Municipal Cyberspace Administration and NetEase News swiftly debunked the rumors.
- The suspect, Sun Mouming, was apprehended and charged with disturbing public order.
- The case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible online behavior.
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