Some experts voiced their support for the use of the Internet to uncover graft, while others said privacy should be respected in the process.

"The Internet anti-corruption effort plays a very important role", and it sometimes is even more effective than the legal system, said Shi Jiansan, a researcher at the Shanghai Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of Law.

Cai Bin, an official at the urban management bureau of Guangzhou's Panyu district, was placed under Party investigation on Oct 22, two weeks after Internet users discovered that he owned 22 properties valued at more than 35.5 million yuan ($5.7 million).