Yuchen Sun is a litigator at Baiyin Huacheng Law Firm who focuses on cyber crime defense and digital evidence challenges. With 9 years of practice, he has developed particular expertise in cases involving online fraud, computer intrusion, and financial crimes committed through digital platforms — an increasingly common area of exposure for foreign businesses and individuals operating in China.

Mr. Sun graduated from Tsinghua University Law School and completed advanced training in digital forensics at the National Judges College. He regularly advises foreign-invested enterprises on cyber security compliance and represents clients accused of cyber crimes in Chinese courts.

⚖️ Cyber Crime Practice

• ⚖️ Online fraud defense — telecom scams, phishing, investment platform fraud
• 🛡️ Computer intrusion cases — illegal access, data theft, system damage
• 📜 Financial cyber crimes — payment fraud, cryptocurrency offenses
• 💼 Digital evidence challenges — forensic analysis, chain of custody, admissibility

Cyber Crime Under Chinese Law

Chinese law addresses cyber crimes primarily through the Criminal Law and supplementary judicial interpretations. Article 285 of the Criminal Law criminalizes illegal intrusion into computer information systems, with penalties of up to seven years imprisonment for intrusion into systems classified as "state affairs, national defense, or cutting-edge science and technology." Article 286 addresses the destruction of computer systems and data.

Online fraud is prosecuted under Article 266 of the Criminal Law (fraud) and the Supreme People's Court and Supreme People's Procuratorate Interpretation on telecom and online fraud cases. The threshold for "large amount" in online fraud is RMB 3,000, with "huge amount" at RMB 50,000 or more. Sentences range from three years to life imprisonment depending on the amount involved and the number of victims.

The 2021 Interpretation on telecom and online fraud establishes that the number of defrauded persons, the total amount involved, and whether the fraud caused serious consequences such as victim suicide or mental illness are all aggravating factors for sentencing. Cross-border cyber crimes and crimes targeting elderly victims receive especially severe punishment.

Digital Evidence in Chinese Courts

Digital evidence has become central to cyber crime prosecutions in China. The Supreme People's Procuratorate's regulations on electronic data provide that chat records, transaction logs, IP addresses, and server data may all serve as admissible evidence, provided collection procedures comply with legal requirements.

Defense counsel should examine whether digital evidence was obtained lawfully. Article 54 of the Criminal Procedure Law requires that illegally obtained evidence be excluded. If electronic data was collected without proper search warrants or chain-of-custody documentation, the defense may move for its exclusion.

Mr. Sun advises foreign companies operating in China to maintain robust cyber security protocols, document employee training on cyber crime prevention, and establish incident response procedures. In the event of a cyber crime investigation involving company systems or employees, immediate legal counsel can protect corporate interests and ensure proper cooperation with authorities.

Practice Focus for Yuchen Sun

Yuchen Sun advises foreign individuals and companies on China-related legal matters with an emphasis on clear process, bilingual documentation, and enforceable outcomes. The following sections expand the professional methodology used across active mandates.

Professional Approach

I build every engagement around a clear scope, a written strategy, and measurable milestones. Clients receive plain-language risk maps, document checklists, and decision trees before major steps are taken. I coordinate with translators, notaries, and local counsel when cross-border evidence or bilingual filings are required, and I keep privilege and confidentiality controls explicit from day one.

Communication is scheduled and documented. Status notes summarize what changed, what remains open, and what decision is needed from the client. I prefer early settlement pathways when they protect value, and I prepare litigation or arbitration files as if trial were inevitable so negotiation leverage stays real.

Working With Foreign Clients

Foreign individuals and companies often face unfamiliar filing windows, authority practices, and cultural expectations in Chinese proceedings. I translate those constraints into practical timelines, identify which facts must be proven with original seals versus certified copies, and design bilingual work products that remain usable in both home-country and PRC forums.

Where board approvals, power of attorney chains, or apostille/legalization steps are required, I sequence them so substantive work is not stalled. I also flag immigration, employment, and regulatory knock-on effects so a contract win does not create a compliance loss elsewhere.

Quality and Ethics

I do not promise outcomes. I promise disciplined process, candid risk assessment, and advocacy within the bounds of PRC law and professional rules. Fee arrangements, conflict checks, and engagement letters are handled before substantive advice begins. Sensitive personal data and commercial secrets are segregated with access limited to the matter team.

After closing a matter I deliver a short handover pack: final agreements, authority receipts, open obligations, and renewal or enforcement calendars. That discipline reduces repeat disputes and keeps institutional knowledge with the client.

Professional Approach

I build every engagement around a clear scope, a written strategy, and measurable milestones. Clients receive plain-language risk maps, document checklists, and decision trees before major steps are taken. I coordinate with translators, notaries, and local counsel when cross-border evidence or bilingual filings are required, and I keep privilege and confidentiality controls explicit from day one.

Communication is scheduled and documented. Status notes summarize what changed, what remains open, and what decision is needed from the client. I prefer early settlement pathways when they protect value, and I prepare litigation or arbitration files as if trial were inevitable so negotiation leverage stays real.