Teach children that requests to use a parent's phone or disclose verification codes are scam signals
The six scams use different stories, but converge on getting the child to transfer money from a parent's phone or read out a verification code. Teach that common warning sign and promise, “Tell me immediately if you are tricked; I will not scold you.” The child needs to feel safe reporting it that day, while there may still be a chance to recover the money.
What it takes
Free. Explain the six patterns below and promise, “Tell me immediately if you are tricked; I will not scold you.” Set payment caps and youth mode, and do not share payment passwords. Keeping calm after a real incident is the hard part.
What you may gain
Quanzhou's anti-fraud center and education bureau described six youth-targeted patterns in October 2025. First, cheap private sales of game accounts or equipment: after a child paid RMB 260, a scammer claimed an underage payment would freeze the account; a “verification link” opened on the father's phone led to over RMB 30,000 being taken. Second, alleged removal of anti-addiction controls: threats that parents would be jailed prompted a RMB 7,000 transfer from a mother's phone. Official restrictions have no private unlocking channel. Third, fake refund support: a supposed official agent required gifts to a designated livestream using a parent's Alipay; RMB 73,000 was spent before the child was blocked. “Send gifts to get a refund” is a scam. Fourth, impersonated classmates or teachers: stolen accounts and voice messages request loans; fake teachers copy names and avatars in class groups, request RMB 500 fees and use accomplices to claim they have paid. Fifth, celebrity-fan groups promise an RMB 888 red envelope, collect RMB 48.88 “verification,” then threaten a RMB 80,000 freeze and parental imprisonment; one child lost RMB 16,000. The notice says real police or lawyers do not conduct such online investigations of minors or demand operation of parents' phones. Sixth, low-priced secondhand goods lure buyers off-platform into private transfers. The notice also warns minors not to lend, sell or rent bank cards or phone cards, which may facilitate cybercrime and lead to a criminal record affecting postgraduate or public-service applications; not to take illegal phone-relay jobs; and not to trust overseas high-pay recruitment that may lead to captivity.
Context & considerations
Grade B because these are official examples and scam scripts, without incidence or prevention-effect statistics. Distinguish a child's own unauthorized purchases, potentially refundable under the Civil Code, from money stolen by scammers, requiring police reporting and a payment stop. Recovery depends on whether funds remain accessible. Explain beforehand that “you broke a rule and your parents will go to jail” is itself a scam signal. Keep the promise not to scold; concealment out of fear allowed losses to grow in these cases. See adult anti-fraud rules and hanging up before verifying a transfer request, including AI impersonation.
Research & references
Quanzhou Anti-fraud Center (2025). First lesson of term: six anti-fraud traps young people must avoid, reproduced by Fujian's Public Security Department. http://gat.fujian.gov.cn/ztzl/fjjffpzxrx/spjq/202510/t20251028_7026836.htm