10,000 yuan fine for unpaid Internet fees

A man has complained to the consumer rights protection committee of Sichuan province that he was charged more than 10,000 yuan ($1,580) by a telecom operator for 240 yuan of fees he owed six years ago.

The man, surnamed Zhang, left a message on a micro blog for Liu Yabin, general secretary of the committee, that he paid a China Netcom branch in Henan province for one year's access to the Internet in 2004. But when the contract expired, the company continued the service for two months. The 10,000 yuan represents a fine for non-payment of the excess use.

Liu said the operator should be blamed for not canceling the service and informing Zhang about its expiration, and for "maliciously enticing him into using the service".

(Legal Daily)

Men demand ransom for return of lost dog

A resident in Xi'an, capital of Shaanxi province, was asked to pay 10,000 yuan ($1,580) for the return of his missing dog.

The resident, surnamed Chen, lost his dog on March 13 and posted notices in his local area seeking help in finding it. A few days later he met with two men who showed him a photo of the dog and demanded the money.

Chen refused and went to the police, but was told there was nothing they could do. A local lawyer, however, said it was reasonable that some money be paid as a reward but it was extortion to demand so much.

(Sanqin Daily)