The loan applied by Liu Photo: CCTV

A recent scam in Kunming, Southwest China’s Yunnan Province, involving a company that lured job applicants with promises of high-paying positions and free plastic surgeries as part of the recruitment process has been exposed.

A woman, surnamed Liu, discovered a job listing on a recruitment website in May offering a salary of 50,000 ($6,913) to 80,000 yuan per month, according to China Central Television (CCTV) on Saturday. Enticed by the appealing offer, she submitted her resume and attended the interview, but the interviewer ignored her resume and work experience, focusing exclusively on her appearance.

Liu said that the interviewer told her facial features were not attractive enough and suggested she make some adjustments, arguing that the role heavily relied on physical appearance. 

The person then referred Liu to a medical institution for plastic surgery, listing five procedures deemed necessary. The company also promised to cover the costs of the surgeries upfront and reimburse her afterward.

The five procedures cost 35,000 yuan, but the company claimed it would advance 10,000 yuan, requiring Liu to cover the remaining 25,000 yuan, which would also be reimbursed after she worked, Liu said, as reported by CCTV.

Upon entering the clinic, Liu said that the doctor did not inquire about her decision to undergo surgery. Instead, a loan of 25,000 yuan was processed without her consent. Despite her hesitation, she was rushed to the operating table without further consultation.

Liu was informed by the recruiter that she had to undergo pre-service training and could only complete the entry procedures upon passing. However, she found the training program inappropriate, as it involved informal services. When she decided to quit, the company refused to take responsibility for the financial arrangements.

A few days after the plastic surgery, Liu recognized the severity of her situation when she experienced pain, noticed her mouth had become slightly crooked, and her face remained swollen. When she sought help from the hospital, the staff dismissed her concerns, prompting her to report the incident to the police.

The Kunming police actually received four similar reports from May to mid-June. After investigation, the police discovered that all the complainants were female job seekers who had been referred to a medical institution for plastic surgery by the “recruiters.” The police concluded that these incidents were likely not coincidental.

The police found out that the “recruiter” and the medical institutions are not a simple partnership, but a conspiracy in advance, to execute a coordinated fraud scheme. 

The police have escalated five medical dispute cases to criminal investigations. As the inquiry progressed, they uncovered the scam group’s tactics, which centered on luring job seekers with promises of high salaries.

They also chose upscale hotels for interviews, creating a formal and high-end atmosphere that puts job seekers at ease. During this so-called training phase, they impose various harsh entry conditions, leading job seekers to believe that any decision to withdraw is their own fault, rather than recognizing they have been deceived, reducing the likelihood of victims reporting the scam to the police.

The police said that an agreement existed between the recruitment company and the medical institution, whereby the funds from the loan are effectively divided between the two entities.

Following further investigation, the police revealed the organizational structure of the criminal gang, which comprises 15 members. This includes a sales team, an interviewer, and personnel from the medical team. The group operated with a clear division of labor and effective collaboration, creating a comprehensive fraud operation.

CCTV-Global Times