BEIJING, July 18 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said it has asked the police to investigate suspected phone fraud targeting HIV-positive people and leaking their information.

People with HIV nationwide have reportedly received phone calls from individuals claiming to work for the government. The callers allegedly attempt to collect service fees for "government subsidies for the HIV-infected."

This has raised suspicions that the personal information of HIV-positive people has been leaked.

Organizations or individuals must not disclose names, addresses, pictures, medical records and other information of HIV-positive people, AIDS patients and their families without consent, said a spokesperson for the CDC, quoting a government regulation.

Theft of this information and phone fraud violate the law, said the spokesperson, adding that the center has taken measures to better protect the information and it would also work closely with the police in helping with a crackdown on crime in this regard.