China Scams: Tourist, Online & Investment Fraud Guide
Common scams targeting tourists and residents in China, including online fraud, investment schemes, and counterfeit goods, with guidance on reporting through official channels.
Emergency number: 110 (police), 96110 (anti-fraud hotline) — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
China has one of the world's most active cybercrime landscapes, with online fraud, investment scams, and romance-based schemes affecting millions of people each year. The government has invested heavily in anti-fraud infrastructure including the 96110 hotline and the National Anti-Fraud Centre app, yet scammers continue to adapt. Tourists face overcharging, fake cultural sites, and counterfeit goods, while residents and expats are targeted by pig-butchering investment scams, impersonation fraud, and task-based job scams. This guide covers the most common threats and official reporting routes.
Common scams
- Pig-butchering crypto and investment scams
- Online shopping fraud and counterfeit goods
- Impersonation of government or bank officials
- Fake job and task-based income schemes
Tourist-specific scams
- Tea house and art gallery overcharging scams
- Fake or overpriced 'cultural' experience tours
- Counterfeit goods sold as authentic
- Taxi overcharging and unlicensed drivers
Online shopping scams
- Fake e-commerce shops on social platforms
- Phishing messages impersonating banks or government
- QR code redirect scams leading to fraudulent payment pages
Job scams
- Task-based scams paying small commissions then demanding deposits
- Fake overseas employment offers via WeChat or Telegram
Romance scams
- Dating-app grooming leading to fraudulent crypto investment platforms
- Long-distance relationship manipulation with escalating money requests
Investment scams
- Pig-butchering schemes combining romance with fake trading platforms
- Fraudulent wealth-management products promising high guaranteed returns
How to report a scam here
- Call the National Anti-Fraud hotline 96110 immediately if money has just moved — it can coordinate rapid freezes with banks
- Contact your bank's official fraud hotline to block further transactions
- Report online fraud through your local Public Security Bureau or via the National Police website at mps.gov.cn
- Preserve screenshots, chat logs, transaction records, and wallet addresses as evidence
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
The 96110 hotline is the fastest route to initiate a bank freeze after fraud — call it within minutes of discovering a fraudulent transfer. Always use your bank's official app or card-back number, never a number supplied by a caller.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What is the 96110 hotline in China?
The 96110 hotline is China's national anti-fraud telephone service operated by the Ministry of Public Security. It provides fraud warnings, advice, and can coordinate with banks to freeze transfers suspected to be fraudulent.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance