Advance-Fee Scams in China
Advance-fee fraud targeting Chinese consumers appears as prize notifications, government refunds, or overseas business opportunities delivered via WeChat and email.
Part of: Advance Fee Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Advance-fee fraud in China adapts quickly to current events and government programmes. Scammers impersonate tax refund systems, e-commerce platform prize draws, or pandemic-era government subsidy programmes to lend credibility to unsolicited payment requests. WeChat's dominance as a communication platform makes it the primary distribution channel.
The MPS National Anti-Fraud Center app provides a real-time verification service that Chinese residents can use to check whether a number or link has been reported as fraudulent before responding.
How this scam works on China
A WeChat message announces the recipient has been selected as a beneficiary of a tax refund or e-commerce platform loyalty reward. Claiming the benefit requires payment of a 'processing fee' of RMB 200–2,000 via WeChat Pay or Alipay. The payment is made but no benefit materialises.
Business opportunity variants approach Chinese entrepreneurs through WeChat with overseas distribution deals or export opportunities from foreign companies, requiring a good-faith bond in RMB before the contract is signed. The bond is collected and the contact disappears.
Government impersonation variants use fabricated Ministry of Finance or State Taxation Administration branding, citing policy references to appear authentic. The National Anti-Fraud Center app now includes a feature that automatically flags numbers used in known scam operations.
Common red flags
- WeChat notification of a tax refund or prize you did not apply for
- Any processing fee required to receive a refund or prize
- Business partnership offer requiring a good-faith deposit before a contract
- Government communication arriving via WeChat rather than official tax or government portals
- QR code in WeChat message directs to a payment page for a government benefit
- Fee demand creates urgency: offer lapses within hours
How to protect yourself
- Verify any government tax refund at the State Taxation Administration portal at chinatax.gov.cn
- Use the National Anti-Fraud Center app to check suspicious numbers and links before engaging
- Legitimate government payments never require a processing fee
- Do not scan QR codes in unsolicited WeChat messages
- Report suspicious WeChat accounts to Tencent and to the Anti-Fraud Center
- Train older family members who may be less aware of these scam patterns
How to report it
- Report via the MPS National Anti-Fraud Center app or call 96110
- Report to the State Taxation Administration at chinatax.gov.cn if tax authority impersonation is involved
- Report the WeChat account to Tencent via in-app reporting
Frequently asked questions
What is the National Anti-Fraud Center app and should I download it?
The National Anti-Fraud Center (Guojia Fanpian Zhongxin) app is operated by the MPS and provides real-time alerts when you receive calls or messages from numbers associated with fraud. It is widely recommended by Chinese law enforcement and is available from official app stores.