I have a coworker whose gaming account got charged with over 100,000 RMB over time, and then the account was stolen.

I don't know all the details, but it seems before reporting to the police, the two had some communication. When my coworker was on the phone, he kept saying "your husband acted without honor." I'm guessing he probably lent the account to someone else to operate, and that person changed the password and email, taking it away entirely.

The account thief thought it was no big deal—"I changed the password, so this account is mine now. What can you do to me?"—and didn't even consider it from a criminal perspective.

But here's what actually happened:

My coworker went to the police station to report it. When the officers heard the amount involved was so large, they got really excited and started running around, taking it more seriously than my coworker himself. Since it was almost year-end and case numbers count toward performance metrics, suddenly a case with such a large amount landed in their lap like a pillow for a napping person.

After categorizing the case, the police went straight and arrested the person. I heard he's facing at least two years in prison. The guy panicked instantly. His wife kept calling to plead for leniency, asking my coworker to withdraw the charges. But from what I heard in their conversation, the other side only begged to drop the charges without even offering additional compensation—they just wanted to get off scot-free.

Many people don't know this: virtual property is also property. Gaming accounts, equipment, in-game currency—they all count. Theft of large amounts carries a sentence of less than 3 years; theft of especially large amounts carries 3 to 10 years; theft of extraordinarily large amounts carries 10 years or more, or even life imprisonment. An account worth over 100,000 RMB is definitely in the "especially large amount" category.

You think changing a password is a small thing, but legally speaking, this is theft.

There are many similar pitfalls:

— Transferring money for a friend—you think you're helping, but you might actually be money laundering
— Downloading resources online—you think it's free, but you're actually infringing copyright
— Casually recording and posting a video online—you think nothing of it, but you're actually violating privacy
— Receiving a package on someone's behalf—you think you're being helpful, but you could be facilitating smuggling

The law doesn't care what you think. It only cares about the facts. Don't use ignorance as an excuse. Don't treat luck as your bargaining chip. What you think is cleverness might be hard evidence of a serious crime in someone else's eyes.