Recently, some netizens spread rumors in group chats about an incident where someone was “strangled to death by an elevator” in a shopping mall in Changzhou. This information quickly proliferated across various online platforms, igniting panic and anxiety within the community and causing a negative social impact. The Changzhou Cybersecurity Police responded swiftly, collaborating with multiple departments to investigate and gather evidence. Upon verification, it was confirmed that no such incident involving an elevator death or any injuries occurred at the site, deeming the information to be a rumor.
Given the mall’s high foot traffic, and to prevent the rumor from spreading further and causing even more serious social repercussions, the Changzhou Cybersecurity Police took immediate action, promptly apprehending the suspects involved in disseminating the rumor, including an individual named Wang. Investigations revealed that the suspects, including Wang, Wei, and Jin, distorted the facts and fabricated the story about the elevator death in the Changzhou shopping mall, sharing it in online groups, which led to the widespread dissemination of the false information. Currently, Wang and the others have been subjected to administrative penalties by the Tian Ning police in Changzhou.
Reminder from the Cybersecurity Police
The police urge the public to remain vigilant in the face of the vast amounts of information available online. It is essential to learn how to discern the authenticity of information and refrain from believing or casually sharing unverified claims. Those who fabricate and spread rumors will face legal consequences. The public security authorities will resolutely investigate and severely punish any illegal acts related to the creation and dissemination of rumors.