Targeted Scams Against Chinese VPN Users

2024-08-01

“Official Special Channel: LetsVPN 10u for One Year,” “Sisterly Shared Subscription: Half-Price Unlocking of LetsVPN Membership Benefits”... When something seems too good to be true, it usually is a scam.

LetsVPN analyzes real user cases to expose the latest scams targeting Chinese VPN users and reminds everyone to stay vigilant and avoid falling into these traps while enjoying the global network.

Case 1: Thousands of Users Suffer Significant Losses Due to "Special Channels"

On Telegram, I was attracted by an advertisement claiming that through a "special channel," I could purchase a year's subscription to LetsVPN for just 10u. The product logo and carefully crafted wording in the ad led me to mistakenly believe that I had found a legitimate discount distributor. Enticed by such an offer, I didn't hesitate and quickly completed the purchase using virtual currency. However, as soon as my money was transferred, the ad poster blocked me, cutting off all contact. Later, when communicating with LetsVPN customer service, I learned that thousands of people had been scammed in the same way, suffering significant losses.

These online scammers are active daily on social platforms like Instagram, X, and Telegram. They meticulously design various enticing advertisements, using keywords like "special VPN channels," "affordable and stable VPN downloads," and "free VPN" to attract LetsVPN users like me. By offering extremely low prices and using the LetsVPN logo as seller information, they gradually made me believe that I had found an official special channel, but in reality, I fell victim to their scam.

Case 2: Shared VPN Subscription Scam

I am a light VPN user, mostly for following celebrities and watching YouTube. While browsing Xiaohongshu(LRB) and Weibo, I pay special attention to discussions on VPN-related topics. Recently, some posts like "Sister, half-price shared LetsVPN" were pushed to me by big data. I felt particularly lucky because, as someone who doesn't use VPNs often, I found paying for one a bit "unnecessary." So, sharing the cost with someone seemed very cost-effective. Initially, I was worried it might be a scam, but the other person called me "sister" and discussed our shared favorite celebrities. They even sent what seemed like genuine proof, such as purchase records and order details, which made me completely let my guard down. I transferred the money, but as soon as I did, the person disappeared without a trace, taking my shared payment with them. That's when I realized I had been scammed.

Later, I discovered the scammer's pattern: they find VPN users like me on Chinese social platforms like Weibo, Xiaohongshu, and Xianyu through VPN-related keywords. When I contacted them, they first checked my profile and followers to understand my interests. Then, they used affectionate terms like "sister" and scripted phrases to build a sense of closeness. Finally, they presented fake proof, making me drop my guard and believe I had found a reliable shopping partner, ultimately scamming me out of my shared payment.

Case 3: Fake Payments to Scam Service Fees

Users saw posts on social platforms advertising “low-cost LetsVPN, live purchase, use first, pay later, LetsVPN pricing, multi-device VPN, VPN setup tutorials, VPN configuration, VPN promotions, cross-platform VPN recommendations, how to use VPN, free VPN recommendations,” and contacted the seller with a trial mentality. The seller demonstrated the entire VPN purchase process in a live broadcast, including service selection, payment, and actual usage effects, appearing very professional. Users tried it for 24 hours and found the service stable, then confidently transferred the payment. However, after some time, their membership service disappeared, and they could no longer contact the seller, realizing they had been scammed.

These credit card scammers eliminated all my doubts by offering a live purchase option, making me believe it was a legitimate transaction. Initially, I could use the service normally. However, when the credit card owner contacted the LetsVPN company, the order was canceled. Ultimately, I lost access to the LetsVPN membership service and couldn't recover the money I had been scammed out of.

Protect Yourself from VPN Scams

When surfing the internet, always stay vigilant and protect your personal privacy; otherwise, you can easily fall victim to various types of online scams. Typically, scammers will guide you to download fake software, claiming their VPN applications offer advantages such as free VPN, fast VPN, high-speed VPN, low-latency VPN, and stable VPN. They then attempt to profit by selling memberships at low prices. For example, with LetsVPN, you can avoid scams by following these tips:

1. Software Installation: Always download from the official website https://letsvpn.world (requires VPN for access in China) or from AppStore/Google Play.

2. Purchase Channels: LetsVPN can be purchased through the official website or app. More payment options are currently in development. Feel free to contact customer service for the latest updates.

3. After-Sales Service: Use the customer service channels within the LetsVPN app or email letsvpn@rbox.me.

Rights Protection: The importance of keeping your purchase receipts.

In case of membership disputes, LetsVPN customer service will provide necessary support based on your purchase order. If you cannot provide proof, as well as the screenshot of the order number. LetsVPN cannot process it due to legal risks. Properly saving these receipts is crucial to ensuring effective solutions when needed.