China offers many exciting opportunities, but living there comes with risks that many foreigners overlook, especially scams in China for foreigners. Scammers often target those who don’t understand local systems and customs.
Common scams in China include fake tea-house invitations, fraudulent rental listings, online investment schemes, contract disputes, counterfeit goods, and romance scams. Reports of these scams affecting foreigners have increased in recent years.
Falling for these common scams in China can lead to financial loss, safety risks, and even legal problems. Being aware of the risks, staying cautious, and knowing where to get help can make life in Shenzhen, or any Chinese city, safer and more comfortable for foreigners.
Scams in China for foreigners that you should avoid
Living, working, or doing business in China opens up excellent cultural and economic opportunities. Sadly, certain persons and groups in many countries target immigrants for money. These scams targeting foreigners in China can happen anywhere, from crowded tourist spots to the internet, and they might look like real contracts. There are a few of them:
Tricks to Get Tourists to Trust You
China scammers go after famous tourist spots, like the beautiful areas of Guilin, Nanjing Road in Shanghai, and Wangfujing Street in Beijing. They utilize charm, generosity, and an interesting past to get individuals who don’t know better to come.
- Tea-house or “Practice English” Scam: A pleasant young individual approaches you and says they would like to “practice English.” They invite you to a local café for tea, coffee, or snacks. Until the bill shows up and it’s several hundred RMB (or more), everything appears to be OK but the profits were divided between the con artist and the café owner, as stated by China Discovery.
- Art Student Scam: Someone posing as an art student extends an invitation for you to view their “school exhibition.” The paintings are manufactured in vast numbers, so even if they seem great, they are only worth a small part of the asking price. This scam happens often at famous tourist spots like Tiananmen Square.
Transportation & Money Scams
Foreigners are easy targets for scams in China, especially transportation theft, because they may not know the rules or costs of living there.
- Taxi Overcharging: They may charge a flat fee that is twice or three times the standard fare, or they may say that the meter is “broken” and won’t work. To raise the price even more, they might also take paths that are too long for no reason.
- Counterfeit Currency: World Nomads has stated how counterfeit bills may be given as change by some sellers and even dishonest taxi drivers. Fraudulent ATMs can also dispense forged notes.
Medical & Wellness Fraud
Scams targeting foreigners in China, including healthcare, often use the idea that foreigners are rich and willing to pay for good care.
- Overpriced or Unnecessary Treatments: Some clinics take advantage of foreigners by making up medical problems or suggesting expensive, unnecessary treatments and supplies. This could happen in exclusive health clubs or places with a lot of tourists.
Online & Investment Fraud
The number of digital frauds is rising quickly, and they frequently use complex setups and emotional manipulation.
- Pig-Butchering Scam (“Sha Zhu Pan”): This complex swindle blends fictitious investment possibilities, typically in bitcoin, with online romance. Before the scammer vanishes, the victim is urged to invest ever-larger sums of money.
- Social Media & Dating App Fraud Rings: The Washington Post reported that after establishing confidence through dating apps, WeChat, and WhatsApp, criminal networks provide phony investment or business plans.
Scam Centers & Human Trafficking
Some large-scale Chinese scammers target foreigners worldwide while operating in nearby nations.
- Cross-Border Scam Call Centres: These facilities, which are mainly in Cambodia and Myanmar, use enslaved laborers to conduct internet and phone scams.
- KK Park-Type Operations: This is an infamous scam hotspot where employees are abused, confined, and compelled to con others.
Contracts to Avoid in China
Although street scams are frequent and China’s scammer list is way too long, fraudulent contracts cause far greater financial losses for many foreigners. In China, even a signed agreement you don’t fully understand can still have legal consequences.
Fake Rental Agreements
Rental markets in major cities like Shenzhen, Shanghai, and Beijing are highly competitive, which makes them an attractive target for rental frauds craigslist.
- Fake landlords: These are individuals who pretend to own a property and request a down payment for an apartment they don’t own or have previously rented.
- Agreements written only in Chinese: If the contract is only written in Chinese, the landlord may be entitled to raise the rent or kick the tenant out without payment.
- Renting the Same Place More Than Once: Two or more people rent the same place at the same time.
Fake Employment Contracts
This is the most frequently used scammer from China’s scammer list to exploit foreigners. Job offers can sometimes be a front for visa fraud or quick cash grabs.
- Upfront Fee Scams: After requesting funds for “training,” uniforms, or visa procedures, employers disappear.
- False Job Offers: Once you get there, promised benefits, housing, or salaries are subtly taken away.
- Illegal Work Arrangements: You run the danger of breaking the law when you accept a contract that isn’t compatible with your visa type.
Unsecured Supplier Contracts
Foreign businesses sourcing products from China need to be cautious about supplier agreements, as this is one of the common scams in China.
- Bait-and-Switch Products: Although high-quality samples are displayed at first, the shipping batch is either subpar or flawed.
- No Legal Recourse Clauses: It is practically hard to obtain a refund when contracts lack enforceable dispute resolution clauses.
- Payment traps: Large deposits are asked for without supporting documentation.
Overpriced Service Agreements
If you are travelling to China, make sure to avoid scams from consulting, legal, and other professional services, as they sometimes overcharge foreigners.
- High costs: Some agencies charge high fees because they believe foreigners lack knowledge of the local market.
- Automatic Renewal Clauses: If you don’t end the contract well in advance, it will automatically renew, which means you’ll have to make more payments.
The Do’s & Don’ts To Avoid Scams in China for Foreigners
Do’s
- To find out about job openings, use government agencies like the State Administration for Industry and Commerce (SAIC). Take metered taxis, and check that the clinic’s requirements are right.
- Hire-me apps, hospitals, and job boards should only be used by people you know and trust.
- Don’t let strangers know private things about you, and keep your ID safe. This way, you can protect your money and reputation.
- Check that the papers can be read in both Chinese and English, and explain how to select a winner.
- Find people in your area and ask for their help. Talk to a lawyer, the government, or a foreign group before you decide what to do.
Don’ts
- Never pay the full amount up front: This is especially true for leases, investments, and relationships with suppliers.
- Don’t take offers that come out of the blue: Politely refuse offers of surprise tours, tea parties, or street deals.
- Don’t rush into investments: Use video calls, check references, and make sure the company is honest before giving money.
Resources
Use additional tools that may help you avoid scams targeting foreigners in China. Some of them are:
Contract Review & Legal Guidance
- China Law Blog – Expert insights on common contract pitfalls and negotiation tips for foreigners.
- Dezan Shira & Associates – Legal consultancy specializing in China-based agreements and compliance.
- Fiducia Management Consultants – Tailors and localizes contracts to meet Chinese legal standards.
Verification Tools
- QCC.com – Comprehensive Chinese business registration and credit lookup.
- National Enterprise Credit Information Publicity System – Official government database for verifying company records.
- SAFEA – Confirms the authenticity of job offers and work permits for foreign professionals.
Fraud Prevention Platforms
- Scamwatch – Global database of scam alerts and fraud warnings.
- Nomad List Scam Database – Community-reported scam patterns across Asia.
- China Scam Reports – English-language platform tracking scam trends in China.
Secure Payment & Escrow Services
- Alibaba Trade Assurance – Protects payments until supplier obligations are met.
- Payoneer Escrow – Holds funds securely until contract terms are fulfilled.
- Wise – Transparent and monitored international money transfers.
Best Practices & Processes
- Draft bilingual contracts (Chinese & English) with the official company chop (seal).
- For delicate or valuable agreements, notarize them in person.
- Before submitting payments, confirm identification, licenses, and physical addresses.
- Maintain written, dated correspondence as evidence in court.
FAQs
How shared are taxi and tea-house scams near tourist spots?
A lot of this takes place in towns like Beijing and Shanghai. You should always ask for the meter. Don’t go to new places with people you don’t know.
Are fake luxury e-commerce sites a threat?
Indeed. A lot of them are there for data collection. Purchase only from reputable websites.
How can I report a scam?
Tell your embassy, the cops, and WeChat safety groups or local expat groups what happened.
The Bottom Line
There are many good things about going abroad, but you should also know about some bad things. You should always be on the lookout for china scams like fraud and false information. You should also double-check information before you act on it, never pay in advance, and always utilize reliable sources. Using formal channels and creating a network of trustworthy contacts will make you much safer and give you more peace of mind to be able to enjoy your travel without scams in China for foreigners.
Keep an eye on embassy advisories, join expat forums to learn about safety in your area, and talk to other expats about your own experience. Information sharing helps your community become more aware of itself and lowers dangers for everyone.
Explore Shenzhen Post to remain in touch with the expat community and get trustworthy news, advice, and tools to help you live effectively and safely in China.