A shocking online romance scam has rocked China, as a man dubbed “Uncle Red” was found to have seduced 1,691 men while posing as a divorced woman on social media. The case has quickly gone viral, raising concerns about identity fraud, internet deception, and the vulnerabilities of digital relationships.
How the Scam Worked: Free Love, Fake Identity
According to reports from Sohu and 163.com, the 38-year-old man used a carefully constructed female persona to attract unsuspecting men. On his social media profiles, he posed as a single, mature, and affectionate woman who had gone through a divorce and was looking for love.
Uncle Red would:
- Wake up at 5 a.m. daily to apply makeup and dress like a woman.
- Film himself doing domestic tasks such as cooking and cleaning to enhance the illusion.
- Use photo editing apps to enhance his appearance in selfies.
- Post romantic captions and clearly state he was “divorced and living alone, seeking a sincere partner.”
- Many of his followers believed the act, and some knowingly continued the relationship even after discovering the truth perhaps drawn in by curiosity or desire.
The Trap: “Free” Meetups With a Small Price
What made the scam particularly effective was its low barrier to entry. Uncle Red didn’t ask for money. Instead, he asked each visitor to bring a simple household gift like rice, milk, or daily essentials. This seemingly innocent gesture made the meetups feel more genuine. One netizen remarked, “The standards were so low it felt sincere. Who would say no to something that feels free?”
Some of his victims were young professionals, university students, and fitness trainers raising even more eyebrows among netizens.
Hidden Cameras and Paid Content
Unbeknownst to his visitors, Uncle Red had installed hidden cameras in his small rented apartment in Nanjing, secretly recording intimate encounters. These videos were then reportedly uploaded to paid platforms to earn profit.
This criminal act turned the “romance scam” into a much more serious privacy violation and potential pornography offense.
Victims or Willing Participants?
Interestingly, Chinese media emphasized that this was not a one-sided scam. While Uncle Red clearly orchestrated the deception, many victims were said to be willing participants once they discovered the truth driven by curiosity or personal desires.
As Sohu noted, “These men weren’t deceived. They wanted to believe. Sister Hong built a lie out of loneliness. The men walked into it out of desire.”
The case of Uncle Red is a disturbing reminder of how online personas can be manipulated to exploit emotions, trust, and even privacy. It highlights the dangers of digital anonymity, emotional manipulation, and the blurred lines between online and real-world relationships. Authorities are continuing their investigation into potential violations of privacy, fraud, and content monetization laws.