What To Know:
- Police uncovered organized fraud rings using fake supermarket “tasting cards” to lure victims into online rebate and fund-transfer scams.
- Victims were drawn in with small payouts and free samples before being pressured into large cash or digital payments.
- Authorities warn residents to avoid scanning unknown QR codes and joining “benefit groups” offering free gifts or rebates.
In recent weeks, China cops have cracked multiple cases tied to these fake tasting cards. Investigators found that some offline promoters were acting under remote instructions from organized fraud groups, guiding victims to download unknown applications or join so-called “benefit groups.” Once inside, victims were gradually drawn into scams involving fake order rebates, illegal fund transfers, and bank card theft.
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One such case involved Ms. Xing, a resident of Zibo, Shanghai. In November 2025, she returned home to find a neatly designed tote bag hanging from her doorknob. Inside was a tasting card bearing the logo of a well-known supermarket. Believing it to be a routine promotional campaign, she scanned the QR code printed on the card and was directed to what appeared to be an official customer service chat.
Following instructions, Ms. Xing joined a chat group and selected a bag of rice as a free sample. That same evening, a delivery worker brought a 10-pound bag of rice to her home. Customer service representatives then encouraged her to take part in group activities such as daily check-ins and quiz tasks, promising small cash rebates as rewards.
At first, the payments were modest. Transfers ranged from just a few cents to a few hundred yuan. Over time, the total reached 1,338.51 yuan. Each successful payout lowered her suspicion and strengthened her trust in the platform.
The situation escalated when Ms. Xing was offered a rebate task that promised a return of 67,000 yuan after a payment of 45,000 yuan. She was told that online transfers were capped at 4,998 yuan and that the remaining amount needed to be delivered in cash to a designated location. Relying on her earlier experiences, she followed the instructions, packed the money into a cardboard box, and took a taxi to drop it off.
After returning home, she was told that an error had occurred and that she needed to complete another task involving 100,000 yuan before receiving all rebates at once. As she headed out again with the cash, officers from the Boshan Branch of the Zibo Public Security Bureau noticed irregular behavior and intervened in time, preventing further losses.
Police later arrested eight suspects, including Wang, who had been responsible for distributing the fake promotional materials. Investigators said the group traveled across multiple cities and placed more than 20,000 fake tasting cards on residents’ doors.
During questioning, the suspects admitted their involvement. All eight were placed under criminal coercive measures on suspicion of aiding and abetting cybercrime.
A similar case unfolded on November 26, 2025, when officers from the Dongchangfu Branch of the Liaocheng Public Security Bureau found large numbers of tasting card advertisements in residential buildings. That evening, suspects Zhu and Wang were detained, and more than 1,000 fake cards were seized.
Police said these fraud rings operate with clear divisions of labor and carefully planned steps. Suspects often scout residential areas at night, targeting homes that appear occupied. Cards are distributed quickly, and evidence of each placement is recorded and uploaded to remote handlers using overseas communication software. Payments to distributors are later settled using cryptocurrency.
Investigators who scanned confiscated cards found that some QR codes were still active, though the promotions had been renamed. Police warned that such schemes are easy to replicate and often reappear after short cooling-off periods.
Authorities are urging residents to remain alert. Offers involving free samples, gifts, or rebates should be treated with caution. Scanning unknown QR codes, sharing personal details, or downloading unofficial apps can quickly lead to financial loss. Police also warned against participating in offline promotion jobs for small payouts, as such involvement can have serious legal consequences.
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