Internet prostitution in China has dialed up with sex workers using forged identity cards, fake online identities and plastic surgery to pose as celebrities. Crime gangs, who recruit these sex workers, then use these fake celebrity profiles for advertisements in social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo.
Asiaone 20 reported that gangs have adopted such tactics to get around Chinese prostitution and pornography laws. Most importantly, fake profile scheme immensely boosts their revenues.
One such widely reported incident belongs to a sex worker named Qiao Shengyi. She claimed to be a beauty queen and a world-renowned model. She had plenty of online photo shoots, awards and interviews to boot; however, all such stories published on the internet were a hoax to lure potential customers and hike the charges demanded for escort services.
CCTV News reported that prostitutes paid considerable amounts for video and photo shoots so that their fake online identities could be carefully engineered. Furthermore, many also spent sums on plastic surgeries, mostly in South Korea, so that they could resemble real movie stars and thus perk up their incomes.
Both prostitutes and pimps have reportedly made good money out of their fake celebrity scheme. Asiaone 20 reported that sex workers posing as online divas make millions and own luxury cars.
Last year, Shenzen police busted a fake identity oriented sex racket involving fake actors and models. All the parties involved are presently in custody.
Chinese Police is worried about curbing the menace since fake profiles get uploaded onto the net without verification. They believe that internet prostitution would prove much harder to control than traditional prostitution.
China's Ministry of Public Security has initiated two national operations to combat this crime. So far, 108 suspects from 28 provinces and cities across China have been detained.