Shanghai college students arrested for extorting minors by impersonating celebrities

Six college students have been placed under criminal coercive measures in Shanghai for allegedly extorting minors by impersonating celebrities and fabricating chat records, according to a statement released by Pudong police on Friday.

The extortion scheme reportedly involved impersonating public figures and creating fake chat logs to deceive minors into transferring money. The total amount involved in the scam is estimated to exceed 100,000 yuan ($14,000), with minors as their primary targets.

Two elementary school students have been identified as victims so far, each losing over 50,000 yuan. The case came to light when a parent reported to Pudong police that their child, referred to as Xiao Li, had been extorted online, resulting in a loss of 11,000 yuan.

Police investigations revealed that Xiao Li encountered a purported "celebrity idol" who had supposedly leaked their private social media account online. Out of curiosity, Xiao Li added the account and was surprised when the friend request was accepted, leading to a voice call from the alleged celebrity.

Xiao Li's initial excitement turned to fear when the caller, claiming to be a lawyer, accused Xiao Li of breaching the celebrity's privacy by adding their personal social media account. The caller then coerced Xiao Li into cooperating by scanning a QR code provided on their grandparents' phone and making several money transfers. The scam was uncovered when Xiao Li's grandparents noticed the transfers and reported the incident to the Pudong police.

Following the report, Pudong police quickly identified a gang operating across different provinces and cities. With coordinated efforts, six suspects, including Chen and Xiao, were apprehended.

Since January, the group has been fabricating chat content involving fake public figures on social media platforms. They would leave behind social media accounts or QR codes to lure minors into adding them as friends. Once connected, the scammers posed as lawyers, police officers, or celebrities, extorting money under the guise of copyright infringement or leaking personal information.

The suspects, all university students, including freshman Chen, primarily targeted minors, extorting amounts ranging from thousands to tens of thousands of yuan.

The suspects remain under criminal coercive measures, and the investigation is ongoing.