China's Ministry of Civil Affairs Warns of Fraudulent Pension Apps

China's Ministry of Civil Affairs has alerted the public to a rise in fraudulent mobile applications posing as pension services. These illegal apps, some using names such as "Minhuitong," are reportedly deceiving citizens by promising benefits like elder support payments. The scam involves demanding users pay an upfront fee, described as an "insurance premium," "deposit," or "activation fee," before receiving any promised funds.

Perpetrators are said to fabricate official documents and impersonate Ministry of Civil Affairs staff to gain trust. The scheme often escalates by encouraging further deposits or investments through incentives like earning money by checking in daily, high-return promises, or referral bonuses for recruiting new users. Ultimately, victims find themselves unable to withdraw their money.

The Ministry has clarified that it has not established or approved any projects named "Minhuitong" or any related apps. The public is urged to exercise caution, avoid believing information from unverified sources or misleading advertisements, and to prevent themselves from falling victim to these scams.

Individuals who believe they have been affected or have suffered losses are advised to report the incident to their local police department as soon as possible. For suspicious activities, the public is encouraged to call the national emergency number 110 or the reporting hotline 96110.