A Beijing resident identified by the surname Zhao said she lost more than $100,000 after a romance scammer she met on Xiaohongshu persuaded her to continue the conversation on Microsoft Teams, where he claimed to be a company researcher.
Her experience shows how fraudsters can develop trust, making a scam appear polished and believable, Wired reported.
Here's what to know
According to Zhao, the contact started on the Chinese social platform Xiaohongshu.
The man steered their messages to Teams, and he provided credentials for an account she could use.
Zhao, who is in her 30s, said the loss happened in May.
The alleged scammer presented himself as being involved in Microsoft research, combining a romantic approach with the authority associated with one of the world's most recognizable tech companies.
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More background
Scammers often build trust gradually before turning the conversation to money.
Workplace software is designed to make communication easy, and that same ease can be exploited.
If someone shifts a personal conversation into a business setting, the move itself can be part of the manipulation.
These scams also often overlap with investment pitches, including ones involving cryptocurrency.
Crypto has legitimate uses and remains a fast-growing sector with both risks and potential, including projects tied to cleaner energy development. But it can also appeal to scammers because transactions are fast and difficult to reverse.
Trust should not come from a logo, a job title, or access to a corporate account; those details can be staged.
What can be done?
One of the clearest warning signs is when a stranger pressures you to move a conversation from a public or social platform to another app that seems more private, technical, or professional.
That does not necessarily signal fraud on its own, but it should prompt caution.
People should also be wary about using login credentials provided by someone else, especially someone they have never met.
A supplied account and password may feel like proof of legitimacy, but it can just as easily be part of a scripted scam.
Independent verification is vital, and it also helps to keep romance separate from personal finances.
If an online connection starts discussing investments, asking for transfers, or encouraging quick decisions, that is a major red flag. The same goes for pressure to keep the relationship going or to keep financial dealings secret.
Anyone who suspects they are involved in a scam should stop from sending any money or gift cards, save messages and account details, report the person to the platform involved, contact their bank or payment provider immediately, and file a report with law enforcement. When in doubt, reach out to friends or family members or contact the police for guidance.
The sooner a suspicious interaction is flagged, the better the chances of limiting the damage.
Where can I learn more?
The alleged scam featured one of the most common money angles in online fraud: crypto.
Digital asset hype and corporate promotion can make the space seem credible.
• Former SEC officials warned that things can go very well in crypto until they suddenly don't.
• CryptoRank said Marathon held $15.68 worth of BTC per common share, highlighting its speculative appeal.
This helps explain why cryptocurrency can be both an opportunity and a danger at the same time.
For someone being pressured to send money, that tension can make a scam pitch sound convincing.
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