4 Common SCAMS Faced by Foreigners in China
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4 Common SCAMS that you may had faced or will face while living in China.
#1 Tea House Scam
A young Chinese "English student," often female, offers to show you around town and then invites you to join her for tea at a nearby restaurant. When the bill comes, she leaves and the restaurant owners, usually very large men, force you to pay an exorbitant bill before you are allowed to leave the premises.
#2 Art House Scam
A young Chinese “art student" will approach you (often at large tourist sites) and will ask if you like art done by local students. The student will invite you to view the artwork at an art studio or gallery and will pour tea and provide snacks while introducing their art to you. The art student will then pressure you to buy their artwork and will demand some sort of compensation for their hospitality before you leave.
#3 Coaching Job Scam
This scam includes requests for invitation letters and/or labor certifications for golf, tennis, football coaches or players and other proposed employment in China. The job offers often include very high wages and many benefits.
Anyone considering accepting a job offer in China should NOT pay for their employment invitation documents, licensing fees, labor certifications, or any other up-front charges. The cost of obtaining and processing any needed documents are the responsibility of the Chinese employer and no legitimate company would ask the prospective employee to pay for them. In cases where Americans have sent money in response to such offers, they never hear from the "employer" again and are unable to get their money returned.
#4 Teaching Job Scam
After applying for an international teaching job in China from, a representative from an international bilingual school offers you a teaching job with good conditions, salary, housing, etc. When you arrive at the school, you find out that there is no job waiting for you. The representative offers to find you another job, but in the meantime you will have to pay for your own accommodation and living expenses.
In some cases, you are actually offered a job, but either your salary is much lower than expected or accommodation and living expenses are not provided, in violation of the contract you signed. Most importantly, when your contact takes care of your Chinese visa, you often receive a tourist visa, rather than a working visa. Even though you are not aware of visa regulations, this is a violation of Chinese law which can result in severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines and deportation.
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