Romance Blackmail Scams in China
Sextortion and 'honey trap' schemes target Chinese men via dating apps and WeChat, threatening to share intimate content with family and employers unless payment is made.
Part of: Romance Blackmail Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Romance blackmail schemes — locally known as 'mei ren ji' (honey traps) — are extensively documented in China. Fraudulent profiles on dating apps such as Momo, Tantan, and Soul pose as attractive partners and quickly engage victims in intimate conversations or video calls designed to capture compromising material.
The threat of exposure carries particular weight in China's relationship-oriented culture, where family and workplace reputation are paramount. Victims are targeted with demands payable via Alipay, WeChat Pay, or crypto, and many comply multiple times before reporting.
How this scam works on China
A scammer creates a polished dating profile, often using stolen photos, and rapidly escalates a new match to intimate messaging. For male victims, explicit requests are made for photos or video. For female victims, emotional manipulation and false promises of marriage are used before blackmail content is obtained.
Once content is captured, the demand message arrives with screenshots of the victim's WeChat contact list. The amount demanded is calibrated to what the scammer believes the victim can pay — often 1,000–20,000 yuan. Victims who pay are contacted again within weeks with a new demand.
Some operations involve a second scammer playing a 'lawyer' or 'intermediary' who offers to negotiate a settlement, extracting further fees. Others involve organised criminal groups that operate honey-trap schemes at scale, targeting thousands of victims through multiple platforms simultaneously.
Common red flags
- New dating app match becomes intimate very quickly and requests explicit content early
- Video call partner appears unusually perfect or slightly delayed — may be pre-recorded
- After content is shared, tone shifts immediately to blackmail demands
- Payment demanded via Alipay, WeChat Pay, or crypto with a short deadline
- Scammer references specific contacts from your WeChat to demonstrate access
- A second person contacts you claiming to be a 'negotiator' or 'lawyer' and requests more money
How to protect yourself
- Never share intimate content with someone you have not met in person
- Review privacy settings on WeChat and dating apps to limit contact list visibility
- If blackmailed, do not pay — report to the Public Security Bureau immediately
- Block the account on all platforms and preserve screenshots before blocking
- Understand that payment rarely ends extortion and typically invites further demands
- Report to the National Anti-Fraud Center app so patterns can be tracked
How to report it
- Report to local Public Security Bureau (PSB) — honey-trap blackmail is a criminal offence in China
- Report via the MPS National Anti-Fraud Center app
- Report the profile to the dating app platform using in-app tools
Frequently asked questions
Can the police in China help with sextortion cases?
Yes. The PSB actively investigates honey-trap blackmail rings. Many organised groups have been broken up through joint investigations. Reporting quickly improves the chance of arrest and prevents further victims.