What other scams are preying on young jobseekers in China?

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Other Scams Preying on Young Jobseekers in China

Scammers in China are exploiting the economic downturn and high youth unemployment to target young jobseekers with a variety of deceptive schemes. These scams often involve false promises of lucrative employment or financial opportunities, leading victims into debt or criminal activity.
Recruitment for Non-Existent Jobs

A significant number of scams revolve around the recruitment for jobs that do not exist. Victims are lured by advertisements or direct approaches promising employment, often in seemingly attractive fields. In one widely reported case, a 19-year-old intellectually disabled young man was convinced by a cosmetic surgery clinic that undergoing breast augmentation would help him gain followers and earn money through livestreaming. He was further pressured into borrowing 30,000 yuan to cover the cost of the surgery, which was performed before his mother could intervene to cancel the loan.
Deceptive Employment Contracts and Loan Traps

Beyond non-existent jobs, other scams involve deceptive employment contracts that trap young people into financial obligations. A college student seeking part-time work in food delivery was persuaded to sign a year-long contract to rent an electric bicycle. The scammer, posing as a recruiter for a delivery service, claimed the bike was a prerequisite for the job. However, the student soon discovered that his earnings were significantly less than the promised "tens of thousands," barely covering the monthly rental fees for the bicycle. This highlights how jobseekers are being ensnared in loan traps disguised as necessary arrangements for employment.
Involvement of Young People in Scam Syndicates

The challenging economic climate and job market pressures have also led to an increase in young people, including those with advanced college degrees, becoming involved in scam syndicates themselves. Authorities reported a 68 per cent annual rise in prosecutions of individuals younger than 18 for phone and internet scams in the first 10 months of 2023. This trend suggests that desperation and the allure of quick financial gains are driving some young individuals to perpetrate scams, further complicating the landscape for genuine jobseekers.

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What other scams are preying on young jobseekers in China?

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