China-based gaming giant NetEase Games is embroiled in a large-scale money laundering scandal, leading to the arrest of several high-ranking employees. Among those detained is Xiang Lang, the General Manager overseeing marketing operations for NetEase Games. Authorities in Hangzhou took action as part of an investigation reportedly orchestrated with a strategic setup, often described as “luring the enemy into a trap.”

Key Arrests and Strategic Investigation Tactics

According to sources, the investigation was initiated by the company’s own anti-corruption unit, who coordinated with local police. A pivotal weekly meeting of the marketing department was relocated from its usual venue in Guangzhou to Hangzhou, where authorities detained Xiang Lang and other involved staff upon arrival.

Details of the Financial Scandal

The scandal centers on an allegedly fraudulent contract valued at approximately 2 billion yuan ($0.28 billion), with estimates indicating that 800 million to 1 billion yuan may have been directly involved in questionable transactions. The arrested employees reportedly worked in traffic acquisition, crucial for the performance of NetEase Games’ leading products. Following these developments, profiles of implicated employees were reportedly removed from the company’s internal systems.

While some of the detained staff members have since been released, efforts to reach Xiang Lang for comments have not succeeded. The Hangzhou authorities continue to investigate the financial activities in question, potentially impacting NetEase Games’ operational and financial standing.