Chinese police have detected swindlers under the cover of disaster relief after a 7.8-magnitude quake jolted southwest China's Sichuan Province, according to the Ministry of Public Security Wednesday.

The ministry detailed their tricks. They sent "SOS" text messages, saying "Dad and mom, I am in hospital due to the quake, in urgent need of medical fee, transit ... yuan to the bank account of ..."; sent text messages of fabricated donation account numbers; or set up websites to swindle for donations, etc.

The ministry said it would crack down on these activities in accordance with laws and regulations and warned the public to be cautious with donation information on mobile phones and Internet.

"Individuals and organizations should make donations through officially designated agencies," it said.

The ministry has ordered local public security departments to strengthen patrols and security work, and prevent and crack down on those who take advantage of the disaster to commit crimes.

(Xinhua News Agency May 18, 2008)