Shanghai police have broken an Internet-based "society" that they say glorified violence and recruited more than 160 juvenile trouble makers to carry out robberies and mayhem.

Twelve members of the group have been apprehended since authorities began investigating the case earlier this year, Luwan District prosecutors said yesterday.

And they said that similar groups are also promoting violent visions on the Internet but have so far stayed away from acts that can be prosecuted.

The group that was busted was called Zun Long Ming She, which translates roughly as "dragon society."

Investigators began looking into the group following a January 7 attack.

Five minors led by a boy surnamed Huang beat and stabbed a boy surnamed Wei outside a school in Luwan District, authorities said. The victim suffered stab wounds on his back but has since recovered.

Four of the five attackers were caught. Huang told prosecutors that he was beaten black and blue a week earlier by Wei and his companions. He then contacted the online group to help him seek revenge.

The four minors were charged with disturbing the peace. All of them said they belonged to Zun Long Ming She and followed the orders of the group's chief. The society was formed in June 2008 and recruited 169 members via the Internet, most of whom were 16 or 17 years old. Some were local natives who lacked a caring family; others were children of migrant workers, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said the group's home page displayed a red flag with a dragon. The Website showed seven branches, each with its own leader. Members were required to pay an undisclosed fee and obey society "discipline," following orders from those above them.

Members uploaded their pictures on the Website, showing off their tattoos and knives.

The site was used by members to organize robberies and attacks, authorities said. The robberies mostly involved young victims who were forced to hand over cell phones, money and other belongings.

So far, 12 members of the society have been implicated in eight criminal cases involving robberies and group fights citywide, and the Website has been shut down. Three received jail terms, and the others are in detention awaiting trial. Another four will be sentenced tomorrow.

Source: Shanghai Daily