Xi’s secretive graft purges spawn underground market for leaks
The groups are flourishing a year before the leadership congress where Xi could secure a precedent-defying fourth term.
The secretive corruption crackdown led by Chinese leader Xi Jinping has sparked rumors of an underground market for leaked information about potential targets. This clandestine trade involves selling secrets about officials who may be under scrutiny, according to Banyuetan, an official Xinhua News Agency publication. Authorities are struggling to contain the spread of these leaks within China's heavily monitored internet landscape.
Members of these illicit communities typically pay a nominal fee to gain access to more exclusive chat rooms, where they can obtain tips on high-profile informants. These clues are often cryptic, with officials' names sometimes disguised using homophones or posted anonymously without context. To avoid detection, the operators of these networks frequently shuffle members between various online rooms, making it difficult for authorities to monitor and shut down the illicit activity.
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