2012 prophecies draw police ire (2)

Other reports have emerged about scammers trying to cash in on people's beliefs. In Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province, two con artists tried to persuade residents to donate all their money to escape the end of the world, according to the Zhejiang Province police's official microblog.

Media in other parts of China have also been reporting on the issue. Some residents in Shuangliu, Sichuan Province, have been stockpiling candles and matches after a rumor emerged that three days of darkness will begin on December 21, the West China City Daily reported.

In Chongqing municipality, a man quit his job and blew his 110,000 yuan life savings after he heard about the Mayan doomsday prophecies two years ago, the Chongqing Economics Times reported.