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China snares 180 fugitives in graft crackdown

'Operation Fox Hunt' snares fugitives around the world.

By Mary Papenfuss
Chinese officials now hope to recover billions of dollars worth of yuan spirited out of the country by criminals and corrupt officials. UPI/Stephen Shaver
Chinese officials now hope to recover billions of dollars worth of yuan spirited out of the country by criminals and corrupt officials. UPI/Stephen Shaver | License Photo

BEIJING, Oct. 31 (UPI) -- China has managed to round up 180 fugitives living in 40 countries to begin to recover billions of dollars in stolen money.

The busts are a red feather in the cap of Communist Party leader and President Xi Jinping, who has vowed to crack down on corruption. In nine years some $1.08 trillion dollars of ill-gotten gains have been spirited out the nation, according to estimates.

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The fugitives were nabbed by teams of Fox Hunt 2014 investigators sent to Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Cambodia, who also relied on help from officials in Africa, South America, the South Pacific and western Europe.

As many as 18,000 corrupt officials have moved abroad, particularly to the top destinations of the U.S. and Canada where China has no extradition treaty. But both countries have agreed to cooperate with the continuing crackdown.

"We hope the international community will cooperate and support us, especially with chasing suspects and illicit money," said Foreign Minister Wang Yo. "Don't turn your country a secret haven for criminals."

In an interesting twist, Chinese officials singled out the help of female investigators, who the official report noted can make "subtle observations and psychological judgments unique to women to resolve unexpected cases," and can "handle the atmosphere."

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