Dating site 'cons its lonely hearts'
By Wang Qingchu |
August 18, 2011, Thursday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
CHINA'S biggest online dating site is duping members into paying to chat to non-existent lonely hearts and is overrun with prostitutes and sexual predators, according to the Beijing Times.
Beijing-based Jiayuan.com may boast a membership of 45 million people from 105 cities seeking romance, but finding a soulmate can be a fraught business, reported the newspaper yesterday.
Xu Yi, a 30-year-old IT worker, saw instant messengers from alluring women pop up on screen the moment he registered on Jiayuan.com, the report said.
But Xu couldn't view the complete message unless he bought online currency "stamps."
After spending 48 yuan (US$7.5) on 24 stamps, Xu was disappointed to find out the messages were automatically generated, rather than sent by other users.
Xu accused the website of providing false information in a bid to lure him into spending money.
As the website doesn't require real-name registration, it has been dubbed "China's biggest online platform for casual sex."
Xiao Zhe, aged 28, told the newspaper he has had sex with more than 50 women he hooked up with on Jiayuan.com over the past three years.
The website also organizes face-to-face activities for singles. Since real identification is not required for these parties, it's even easier to find strangers there for casual sex, according to Xiao.
Liu Yong, a hair salon owner who manages more than 20 prostitutes, moved his business from a real venue to Jiayuan.com as the "market is much bigger and safer."
Liu helped the prostitutes set up personal files with vague descriptions indicating sexual services and upload revealing photographs.
Once Liu paid to become a golden member, these pictures were deleted less frequently.
Business is booming and Liu can earn 30,000 (US$4,697) to 50,000 yuan a month, said the report.
The personal wealth of Gong Haiyan, founder and CEO of Jiayuan.com, shot to US$70 million after the site was listed on Nasdaq in May.
Online matchmaking service contributed 68.5 million yuan in income in the second fiscal quarter, according to Jiayuan's figures.
Beijing-based Jiayuan.com may boast a membership of 45 million people from 105 cities seeking romance, but finding a soulmate can be a fraught business, reported the newspaper yesterday.
Xu Yi, a 30-year-old IT worker, saw instant messengers from alluring women pop up on screen the moment he registered on Jiayuan.com, the report said.
But Xu couldn't view the complete message unless he bought online currency "stamps."
After spending 48 yuan (US$7.5) on 24 stamps, Xu was disappointed to find out the messages were automatically generated, rather than sent by other users.
Xu accused the website of providing false information in a bid to lure him into spending money.
As the website doesn't require real-name registration, it has been dubbed "China's biggest online platform for casual sex."
Xiao Zhe, aged 28, told the newspaper he has had sex with more than 50 women he hooked up with on Jiayuan.com over the past three years.
The website also organizes face-to-face activities for singles. Since real identification is not required for these parties, it's even easier to find strangers there for casual sex, according to Xiao.
Liu Yong, a hair salon owner who manages more than 20 prostitutes, moved his business from a real venue to Jiayuan.com as the "market is much bigger and safer."
Liu helped the prostitutes set up personal files with vague descriptions indicating sexual services and upload revealing photographs.
Once Liu paid to become a golden member, these pictures were deleted less frequently.
Business is booming and Liu can earn 30,000 (US$4,697) to 50,000 yuan a month, said the report.
The personal wealth of Gong Haiyan, founder and CEO of Jiayuan.com, shot to US$70 million after the site was listed on Nasdaq in May.
Online matchmaking service contributed 68.5 million yuan in income in the second fiscal quarter, according to Jiayuan's figures.
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