As of Sept 16, courts across China have heard 2,014 criminal cases involving scams targeting the elderly, since a nationwide campaign against such crime was launched in April, according to the Supreme People's Court (SPC).

In these cases, scammers cheat the elderly out of money in the name of buying elderly care services and products or fundraising projects. Criminals who have caused severe economic loss or had an adverse social impact shall receive harsh punishments.

The people's courts have always taken the recovery of stolen assets and loss as their top priority in the campaign. For any illegal income that has not been recovered or fully refunded by the time of trial, the courts will make a judgment to continue to recover or order the refund of compensation according to the law, and will resolutely prevent criminals from hiding, withdrawing, and transferring property.

Since the campaign was launched in April, courts nationwide have handled such fraud cases involving around 3 billion yuan ($417 million).

Meanwhile, the SPC released six kinds of typical cases involving old-age fraud to further clarify the standards and boundaries of laws and policies. Courts across the country have issued more than 120 guidance documents on the trial and execution of cases involving fraud targeting seniors.

Up to now, courts nationwide have made more than 1,200 judicial proposals, which have helped establish and improve a long-term mechanism to protect the rights and interests of the elderly.

Since April, courts across the country have also organized various educational events to publicize anti-fraud knowledge and tips, raising public awareness of fraud.