11.  It has also launched a probe of several institutions and individuals said to be suspected of illegal currency deals.

12.  Mounting debt problems at some Chinese investment trusts are the result of a crackdown launched last year on illegal foreign currency trading, Chinese finance officials said Friday.

13.  The Central Bank detained seven illegal currency traders Tuesday after warning Monday it would take legal action to end speculation against the riyal.

14.  The case was based on coded entries in the diaries of a businessman allegedly listing bribes that he had given, financed through illegal foreign currency transactions.

15.  The deputy has become a subject of controversy himself following money transfers into his bank account by a firm suspected of illegal currency trading.

16.  The government has pledged even tighter foreign exchange limits and launched a probe of several institutions and individuals said to be suspected of illegal currency deals.

17.  The man involved in the case was sentenced to five years in prison for extortion and illegal currency transactions, the Interfax news agency said.

18.  The military government published a decree Friday to stifle illegal currency trading and was immediately accused of feeding the black market itself.

19.  The State Council directive was the highest-level order to date demanding an end to questionable and outright illegal foreign currency deals.

20.  To shield the yuan, Beijing has sought to restrict outflows of foreign exchange and illegal currency trading.