Beijing, Aug 31 (Xinhua) Chinese police have busted nearly 280 gangs and arrested over 1,000 people for cheating, the public security ministry said Monday.

The suspects usually called the victims on the phone and pretended to be their superiors, long-lost friends, even Mafia members before asking the victims to deposit money in their bank accounts.

The crackdown is part of a campaign launched by the government June 12 to maintain social stability ahead of China's National Day celebrations, said Wu Heping, spokesman of the ministry.

China will mark its 60th anniversary of the founding of the republic this year.

Around 4,800 cases have been solved, more than 19 million yuan (about $2.