Cyber \u200b\u200bPorn Trap: Lure with Ads, Induce Brush Ordersand Gambling
By [Your Name], Senior Journalist and Editor
October 10, 2024
It starts with the allure of lust, and ends with being scammed. Why do these scams continue tosucceed?
On September 20th, Zhang Zhenhua, captain of the Third Squad (Anti-Fraud Squad, Information Research Center) of theCriminal Investigation Brigade of Shanghe County Public Security Bureau in Shandong Province, couldn’t help but chuckle at a chat record he saw on a software: It’s fate that we met, no matter where it was, if it weren’t forfate, we wouldn’t have added each other. Some people actually think they’ve found true love in this, he said.
Victims of these scams often encounter pop-up dating links while reading online novels. Thelinks feature alluring images of attractive women, accompanied by provocative text, promising free hookups if you add them as friends. Once a victim chooses a woman, they are pressured to invest and receive returns, as instructed by the company’s dispatchers, to meet their chosen woman as quickly as possible. They end uptransferring tens of thousands of yuan to the scammers.
However, the women never materialize, and the money is gone. Zhang Zhenhua explained that this was a new type of complex online fraud scheme involving online prostitution as a lure, reported to his bureau on September 20th.
According to investigations by theBeijing News, using online prostitution to deceive is increasingly common. In these schemes, criminals often use pornographic websites, social media platforms, video apps, and text messages to distribute sexually suggestive advertisements, using enticements like watching pornographic videos or free hookups to lure victims into clicking links and downloading apps. They theninstruct the victims to perform tasks such as brush orders, investing, and gambling, exploiting their greed and lust to carry out the fraud. This scam has spread across China, with police in Jiangsu, Shandong, Hebei, Zhejiang, Sichuan, and other provinces reporting similar cases.
Zhang Zhenhua said thatthese cases are secretive, with some victims not reporting due to shame or other reasons. This year, the bureau has received 192 fraud cases, of which 9 were related to this type of scam, a relatively small proportion. However, this type of pornographic traffic is ubiquitous, making it even morenecessary to strengthen anti-telecom network fraud education for the public.
Even after their bank cards are frozen and all their money is gone, victims still say things like, It’s not that I don’t want to meet, things are already serious, and the money is gone. They even advise the women, Don’t be upset, if it doesn’t work out, just hook up with someone else.
It’s like they’ve been brainwashed, completely out of control, said Zhang Zhenhua. He explained that this is a common occurrence in online prostitution cases, where victims get deeply involvedin conversations, believing they’ve fallen in love. They may even send pictures of their private parts, ultimately becoming hostages to the scammers.
Zhang Zhenhua stated that on September 20th, …
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- Detailed descriptions of the scam’s tactics and how it works.
- Examples of real-life cases and victims’ experiences.
- Expert opinions and insights from law enforcement and cybersecurity professionals.
- Recommendations for individuals and organizations to prevent falling victim to these scams.
- A strongconclusion summarizing the key points and emphasizing the importance of awareness and prevention.
- References to all cited sources, using a consistent citation format.
By following these steps, you can create a compelling and informative news article that raises awareness about this growing threat and helps readers protect themselves.
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