The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh has issued a serious advisory to its citizens, cautioning them about scams involving so-called "foreign brides."
The embassy highlighted the dangers of engaging with illegal matchmaking services that claim to arrange marriages with women from abroad, warning that such schemes often lead to fraud, exploitation, and legal trouble.
In a statement released on the embassy's official social media channels, Chinese nationals were urged to reject the idea of paying for a spouse through unauthorised cross-border marriage services.
The embassy stressed that some Chinese citizens had recently fallen victim to deceptive matchmaking operations while in Bangladesh.
These operations typically promise marriage with foreign women but often conceal elements of human trafficking or financial fraud.
The embassy warned that involvement in such illegal arrangements could lead to criminal charges under local law, including accusations of trafficking, which carry severe legal penalties and possible imprisonment.
"Do not be fooled by offers to 'buy' a foreign wife," the embassy urged.
"Such deals not only violate the law but can also result in serious personal and financial harm."
While China prohibits unlicensed matchmaking agencies, these services have gained popularity online—largely fueled by the country's growing gender gap and declining marriage rates.
Misleading advertisements often portray women from countries such as Bangladesh, Vietnam, or Laos as eager to marry Chinese men, falsely promising quick and inexpensive weddings.
In reality, many of these ads are scams.
China's demographic shift is contributing to the rise in demand for foreign partners.
The country recorded only 6.1 million marriages in 2024.
A persistent gender imbalance—about 30 million more men than women—adds to the challenge for Chinese men seeking local partners.
The embassy's warning reflects growing concerns over illegal international matchmaking practices, particularly those that take advantage of vulnerable people or violate legal and immigration regulations. Authorities in China and neighbouring countries have intensified efforts to shut down human trafficking networks operating under the guise of marriage agencies.
The embassy concluded by advising Chinese citizens to pursue relationships through legal, respectful, and voluntary channels. Any suspicious activity involving international matchmaking should be reported to local authorities or the embassy.
"Marriage should be built on trust and mutual respect—not on deception or financial transactions," the embassy emphasized. "We urge our citizens to act with caution and follow the law when looking for a partner abroad."
No comments:
Post a Comment