The virtual currency trap behind free tasting card benefits, police in multiple regions expose new variants of telecom fraud

Recently, police in multiple regions issued important warnings: a “free benefits” scam falsely claiming to be from well-known supermarkets using “tasting cards” is spreading, behind which lies a complete telecom fraud industry chain. More concerning is that criminals utilize the anonymity features of virtual currencies for settlement, making this new type of scam even harder to trace.

Three Links in the Scam Operation Chain

This scam is not just simple street fraud but a well-organized industry chain. Reports from police in Shanghai, Yunnan, Gansu, Hainan, and other areas reveal their complete operational logic:

First Link: On-the-ground Promotion and Traffic Generation

• Criminals recruit “ground promoters” under the guise of free benefits from well-known supermarkets
• Distribute “tasting cards” at community entrances, hallways, and other locations
• Seemingly part of normal commercial promotion activities

Second Link: Information Collection

• Each tasting card is photographed and recorded individually after distribution
• Collect key information such as community addresses, door numbers, and promotional materials on door handles
• These details are uploaded to the backend for targeted scams

Third Link: Virtual Currency Settlement

• Fraud gangs use virtual currencies for irregular settlements
• Overseas communication software serves as contact tools
• The entire chain has a high degree of anonymity

Why Virtual Currency Has Become a Tool for Scams

The reason this scam dares to operate so blatantly is that virtual currencies play a crucial role:

The anonymity features of virtual currencies make them ideal for black-market payments. Unlike traditional bank transfers, which are traceable, virtual currency transactions are difficult to trace, and participants do not need real-name authentication. This allows scam gangs to pay ground promoters without worrying about the funds being tracked by authorities.

Coupled with the use of overseas communication software, the entire criminal chain is almost impossible to regulate through conventional means. This also explains why such scams can appear simultaneously in multiple regions.

Legal Risks for Participants

The police’s reminder emphasizes one point: individuals participating in ground promotion part-time jobs may think they are just doing simple promotional work, but in reality, they have become accomplices to scammers.

According to relevant laws, knowingly or should-knowingly participating in activities such as attracting traffic or spreading scams constitutes criminal liability. This is not just a civil compensation issue but may also lead to criminal punishment.

Future Warnings

The emergence of this scam reflects a new trend in telecom fraud: more professional division of labor, more concealed payment methods, and more precise targeting. It is expected that similar scams may evolve into new variants, such as using other virtual currencies or mixing multiple concealment tools.

For the public, vigilance should be raised not only against direct scam calls but also against seemingly harmless “ground promotion part-time jobs.” Companies engaged in legitimate promotion should also clarify their compliance boundaries to avoid being exploited by criminals.

Summary

This case demonstrates that virtual currencies are becoming key tools in black-market chains, with their anonymity features being fully exploited to evade regulation. It also reminds regulators to strengthen prevention and control over virtual currency black-market applications. For ordinary people, the core warning is: do not participate in unknown part-time jobs for small profits, as you may shift from victim to illegal offender.