China's market regulator has imposed fines totaling 36.5 million yuan (roughly 5.7 million U.S. dollars) to 15 off-campus tutoring companies over false advertising and fraud. 

The 15 firms include online education apps Zuoyebang, Yuanfudao, and New Oriental Education & Technology Group, according to the State Administration for Market Regulation.

The companies were fined for fictitious qualifications and resumes of teachers, fabricated user reviews and price fraud. 

The market regulator is targeting large tutoring companies in first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Shenzhen, where students face fierce competition. 

The move aims to strengthen supervision of the off-campus tutoring market, promote the healthy development of the industry, and effectively safeguard the interests of the people.