Recently, the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) issued a warning regarding fraudulent schemes involving counterfeit digital yuan applications. According to the MIIT, these fake apps are designed to mimic the official digital yuan platform, tricking users into downloading and engaging with them through false promises of promotions.
One of the fake apps highlighted in the warning is called “Digital Yuan Test Version.” This app has a logo similar to the official digital yuan app and a slightly altered user interface. However, users can distinguish between the fake and authentic apps by verifying the package name, version, or by using the MD5 message-digest algorithm.
For instance, the legitimate digital yuan app has a package name of cn.gov.pbc.dcep, while the counterfeit “Test Version” app uses com.ecny.ecny2. Despite looking similar to the original app in terms of logo, UI, and slogans, these fake apps operate more like pyramid schemes, promising users dividends for sharing the software and claiming to offer “national welfare” distributions.
Once users are enticed to download the counterfeit apps, they are prompted to provide detailed personal information for “eligibility verification,” creating a false sense of legitimacy. The scammers may even inquire if users have previously participated in similar programs with digital yuan, further prolonging the deception.
Ultimately, these fake apps establish customer service pages to placate users, but users often discover no funds in their wallets or fail to withdraw the promised “funds.” To resolve this issue, users are directed to download alternative messaging apps, falling deeper into the scam.
To avoid falling victim to such scams, it is crucial for users to only download apps from verified platforms. However, criminal activities continue to rise alongside the increasing popularity of China’s central bank digital currency (CBDC).
In a recent case, the Yangpu District People’s Court of Shanghai ruled the first money laundering instance involving digital yuan and cryptocurrency. As China looks to implement more real-world e-CNY applications, it is imperative for users to remain vigilant and cautious when engaging with digital currency platforms.
Leave a Reply