A simple challenge and the promise of an amount that can change the lives of the poorest: these are the ingredients of the series Squid Game – of which season 2 comes out on December 26 – but also a series of scams in China. Qilu Wanbaoa regional Chinese daily, reports for example the case of Zhang who, in September, lost nearly 20,000 yuan (2,700 euros) in registration fees.
The principle seemed simple, details the International Mail which relays the story. One company offers a challenge that involves staying in a hotel room for twenty-six days, with exponential rewards ranging from 6,800 yuan (890 euros) for lasting three days to 859,700 yuan (113,000 euros) for the full duration. It only requires a registration fee and respecting a few rules. Except that after two or three days, the company always finds an excuse to disqualify you.
A scam that targets the poor and unemployed
“Seeing how easy it all seemed, I got in touch,” says Zhang. Except that after being eliminated twice, “I developed a compulsive gambling pathology,” he testifies. I told myself that with all the money I had already invested I couldn't leave empty-handed. » “Companies target the poor and the unemployed, promising them to win a considerable sum of money that can change their lives,” comments the Shanghai news site Sixth Tone, taken over by International Mail. They have strange similarities with the Netflix series Squid Game. »
And scammers are currently taking advantage of loopholes in the law to escape most prosecutions. Qilu Wanbao cites the case of a person who filed a complaint, but who only received a refund of 5,400 yuan (705 euros), a quarter of what she had invested.
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