Question 1

What is the "Merchant QR-code payment switch" scam in Chongqing?

Accepted Answer

With WeChat Pay and Alipay near-universal, a vendor or stranger at a market or tourist spot may show you a QR code to 'scan to confirm' or 'scan for your change,' but it is their merchant collection code, so scanning and confirming sends money out of your account. Others quietly enter or point to an inflated amount on a payment screen. The UK government explicitly flags QR-code scams in China. Only ever let the merchant scan the green code generated on your own phone; never scan a code someone hands or points you to. Read the recipient name and the amount on every payment screen before confirming, and keep transaction limits low.

Question 2

What is the "Counterfeit banknote swap when paying cash" scam in Chongqing?

Accepted Answer

In the minority of cash transactions, a taxi driver or market vendor inspects your 100 RMB note, claims it is fake or that you gave a smaller bill, and hands back a genuine counterfeit while keeping your real note. Travelers carrying cash because their foreign cards or payment apps failed are the usual marks. Pay by WeChat Pay or Alipay whenever possible so cash never changes hands. If paying cash, use small denominations, count it out loud, and do not let the recipient 'return' your note and swap it. Note the serial-number strip and feel for the raised printing on real notes.

Money & ATM Scams in Chongqing

Merchant QR-code payment switch

Counterfeit banknote swap when paying cash

Experienced a scam here?