DeepSeek Impersonation Subscription Scam: Low-Cost App Payment Fraud

Who Gets Targeted

The primary victims are general internet users, freelancers, and decision-makers in micro-enterprises seeking cost-effective AI tools, often searching for 'official downloads' via app stores or search engines. Driven by efficiency anxiety and the appeal of low prices, they are easily misled by 'Official,' 'Genuine,' or 'Lifetime Membership' labels on store pages, often overlooking developer information, app signatures, and pricing anomalies. Investigations by The Paper indicate that within just two months of DeepSeek's launch, phishing sites impersonating DeepSeek surged to nearly 3,000. Some consumers have been defrauded of 198 yuan for 'lifetime memberships,' while others paid 49 yuan only to receive fake installation packages, with losses proving difficult to recover (media estimates, independent verification pending).

骗局怎么运作

• 1. Criminal groups register app store pages impersonating DeepSeek or ChatGPT, using official branding, familiar interfaces, and professional icons to create an illusion of legitimacy.
• 2. They add limited-time discounts or 'lifetime membership' bundles at the bottom of the page, labeling them with low prices (e.g., 198 yuan/lifetime, 49 yuan/local deployment) and using high-pressure sales tactics to induce immediate purchase.
• 3. Once the user clicks to purchase, the system triggers a payment page requiring bank card or third-party payment binding; payment information is intercepted and diverted to fraudulent accounts.
• 4. If the payment is successful, the app developer may force an override of the original functionality, leading to invalid usage, restricted features, account bans, or even total disappearance after the transaction.
• 5. Additionally, scammers may use email or social media to send cold emails to victims, pushing 'upgrade packages' to create a cycle of recurring charges and increase the frequency of unauthorized deductions.

红旗信号（看到这些快跑）

• 🚩 Prices are significantly lower than official subscription rates, sometimes offering free or extremely cheap 'lifetime membership' plans.
• 🚩 App store page layouts and icons are only slightly modified from the official versions, with inconsistencies in Chinese character resolution or formatting details.
• 🚩 The app prompts for forced login, payment, or data synchronization immediately upon first launch, often accompanied by frequent account security warnings.
• 🚩 The review section lacks positive feedback, consists mostly of bot-generated responses, or has extremely low ratings.
• 🚩 The payment result page uses non-official payment channels or displays 'Confirm Payment' windows that pop up repeatedly.
• 🚩 Customer service information does not match official support channels, often featuring fake email addresses or suspicious live chat windows.

真实案例

• On March 15, 2025, a Beijing internet user downloaded an app named 'DeepSeek AI' from a third-party app store and subscribed to a lifetime membership for 198 yuan. Within 24 hours of payment, the account was banned. Official customer service stated the account was disabled and non-refundable, claiming the amount was returned but deleted by a platform reconciliation error. The shop was later shut down by cyber police.
• On June 13, 2026, the Cyberspace Administration of China issued a notice stating that multiple scams involving low-cost 'bulk' ChatGPT Pro accounts affected over 3,500 people, with total payments reaching 1,200,000 yuan. The criminal group distributed so-called 'official genuine' accounts via third-party app stores for 9 yuan per bundle, using forged payment screens to deceive consumers. (Source: https://www.80aj.com/2026/06/13/chatgpt-scam-warning/)
• On July 17, 2026, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology issued a special report identifying 'copycat' DeepSeek websites. Users who paid 198 yuan found that the operators revoked subscription services and ceased support. The case involved over 30 million yuan and has been seized by authorities.
• In March 2025, an investigation by The Paper reported that the only official channels for DeepSeek are the company's website and certified official assistants on app stores. Within two months of its debut, phishing sites impersonating the service surged to nearly 3,000, with consumers misled by 'lifetime membership' advertisements paying 198 yuan for counterfeit apps. (Source: https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2025-03-15/doc-inepsvus3088900.shtml)

Official Stance

• National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center, 2025-02-17, issued the 'Warning Report on Mobile Trojan Viruses Impersonating Official DeepSeek Apps Targeting Chinese Users' (Source: https://www.news.cn/tech/20250217/3ad350d3e4b74d3fb59a4ca51a6e319d/c.html)

How to Protect Yourself

• ✅ Only download AI applications from official channels (official website, Apple App Store, Google Play) and verify developer information and signature certificates.
• ✅ Compare official pricing, feature descriptions, and community reviews before purchasing, and avoid being lured by non-official channels.
• ✅ If low-cost or free subscriptions appear, first verify if they are official limited-time offers or trials; if the price is abnormal, abandon the purchase and check via official payment channels.
• ✅ For paid subscriptions, obtain payment receipts immediately, save screenshots or transaction records, and file complaints with industrial and commercial departments and payment platforms if account anomalies occur.
• ✅ Upon discovering suspicious applications, report them via the platform's search/report function and post warnings on social media to expand awareness and prevent further fraud.