Seven stand trial for telecom fraud

Seven people stood trial for suspected telecommunications fraud that led to the death of a student, authorities in south China’s Guangdong Province said Wednesday.

Five of the defendants sent 780,000 fraudulent text messages, swindling more than 1.1 million yuan (166,200 U.S. dollars) from the public, including 9,800 yuan of tuition fees and living expenses from the victim, surnamed Cai, according to the Intermediate People’s Court of Jieyang City.

Cai later committed suicide by drowning herself in the sea.

The other two defendants are suspected of hiding the illegal activities and the benefits from the fraud, according to the court.

The court will announce a verdict at a later date.