In response to the recent corruption scandal surrounding NetEase Games, on the early morning of November 8th, NetEase's public relations personnel responded on WeChat Moments. Meanwhile, NetEase Games also released an internal announcement today regarding rumors of anti-corruption investigations, stating that multiple individuals were suspected of fraud, corruption, and illegal activities during their tenure and have now been criminally filed by the public security organs.
According to the announcement, Xiang Lang, former head of the Battle and KK business units, Jin Yuchen, former head of the Interactive Entertainment Channel Distribution Center, Xu Ao, employee of the Interactive Entertainment Market Center, Zhao Shengnan, employee of the Interactive Entertainment Channel Distribution Center, Wu Yi, former employee of the Interactive Entertainment Market Center, Lu Chengwang, former employee of the Battle business unit, and Lin Jia, former employee of the Interactive Entertainment Market Center, were suspected of fraud, corruption, and illegal activities during their employment and have been criminally investigated by the public security organs. Criminal coercive measures have been taken in accordance with the law. Xiang Lang, Jin Yuchen, Xu Ao, and Zhao Shengnan have had their labor contracts terminated by the company and will never be employed.
At the same time, Pan Yugang and Shen Yiming, employees of the Battle Division, were also suspected of fraud, corruption, and illegal activities during their tenure and have been criminally filed by the public security organs, and criminal coercive measures have been taken in accordance with the law. Pan Yugang and Shen Yiming have had their labor contracts terminated by the company and will never be employed. Several external suspects have been simultaneously subjected to criminal coercive measures by the public security organs in accordance with the law.
The notice mentioned that 27 companies related to fraud, corruption, and illegal activities have been included in the list of entities that NetEase will never cooperate with.
It is understood that the Battle division mentioned multiple times in the notification is the department responsible for esports at NetEase. Xiang Lang, former head of the Battle and KK business units, graduated in 2008 and later joined Shanda Games. In 2013, he joined NetEase and has been responsible for many well-known products such as "Journey to the West", "Minecraft", and "Identity V". In addition, Xiang Lang is also responsible for the social marketing and live streaming business of NetEase Games.
Earlier, in response to this matter, NetEase's relevant public relations personnel stated on WeChat Moments that NetEase's anti-corruption efforts have never stopped. As the case is still under investigation, specific information cannot be disclosed and will be reported at an appropriate time. At the same time, the above-mentioned personnel mentioned that the rumors about money laundering and other aspects circulating online are purely rumors, and NetEase has arranged to report them to the police.