Public security authorities in China have issued warnings to parents and children about a rise in telecom fraud cases targeting minors, particularly during the summer holiday period. Scammers are exploiting children’s interests in online games, celebrities, and giveaways to trick them into transferring money. In some instances, fraudsters pose as police officers to intimidate their victims.

Officials reported a noticeable increase in cases involving minors, who spend more time online during school breaks but often lack the experience necessary to identify fraudulent schemes. These scams typically commence through social media platforms, gaming environments, or messaging apps, with promises of free gifts, discounts, or opportunities to earn easy money. Victims are then pressured to make payments or provide financial information.

One case involved a middle school student who was invited to join a group offering paid “task” work. Seeing multiple participants post screenshots indicating earnings, the student transferred several thousand yuan. When he later attempted to withdraw his funds, he was told his account was frozen and asked for further payments. He eventually learned that the rest of the group members were collaborating with the scam operators.

Another example occurred in Fujian province, where a fourth-grade student received a video call from a man claiming to be a police officer. Wearing a uniform and displaying what appeared to be official identification, the caller accused the child of defrauding someone and warned of legal consequences for the student’s family if the investigation was disclosed. Frightened by the call, the boy waited until his family slept and transferred over 3,000 yuan (approximately $446). His parents discovered the loss the following day. Similar incidents involving intimidation tactics have been reported in other regions, including Wenzhou in Zhejiang province and Suining in Sichuan province, where students lost tens of thousands of yuan after being manipulated into cooperating with supposed investigations.

Cao Qinzhong, deputy head of a new-crime investigation brigade with the Fuzhou public security bureau, identified common scam types targeting minors as fraudulent game-item transactions, fake part-time job offers with rebates, bogus shopping services, and impersonations of legal authorities such as police, prosecutors, or judges. Primary school students are the most frequent targets, followed by middle school students. Reported financial losses typically range from several hundred to a few thousand yuan.

China’s National Anti-Fraud Center, in its 2026 telecom and online fraud white paper, highlighted fraudulent game-product transactions and scams involving impersonation of law enforcement as prevalent methods used against children. Authorities stated that fraud groups are increasingly sophisticated, sometimes hiring actors to pose as officers, setting up fake police office backdrops, and fabricating arrest warrants or legal documents. Victims are often instructed not to inform their parents, to download video meeting apps, share screens, or operate a parent’s phone under remote control.

Police emphasize that fear and secrecy are central elements exploited in these scams. They urge parents to restrict or disable payment functions on children’s devices, deactivate password-free payments, and set spending limits. Minors are advised to avoid scanning unfamiliar QR codes, downloading unverified apps, sharing screens, or concealing suspicious requests from their parents. Authorities recommend that children immediately inform their guardians if threatened or asked to transfer money rather than attempting to handle the situation alone.