SHANGHAI, Sept 23 (Reuters) - Police in China are

investigating an app fraud case, said German healthcare firm

Merck KGaA, amid growing concerns over entities

claiming affiliation with major corporations.

The Zibo police office in Shandong province had called the

company over an investigation into an app fraud case, Merck KGaA

said in a statement late on Monday. Police did not provide

details on the incident or number of people affected, it said.

The Zibo Public Security Bureau did not immediately respond

to an online request for comment.

Earlier this month, Merck ( MRK ) said an app impersonating the firm

had released false information about private investing and

financing schemes which had caused financial losses to the

public.

That app was not affiliated with the company and promotional

materials used in the app constituted misappropriation and

fraud, it said at the time.

U.S. drugmaker Merck & Co ( MRK ) similarly said last week

that criminals had used the company's name to carry out private

investment and financing activities.

The company said it has not and would not engage in any form

of private investment or financing activities targeting the

public, and reported the issue to the public security

authorities, the U.S. firm said last week.