AI Certificate/Qualification/Award Fraud: Charging exorbitant fees under the guise of official certification, with certificates failing to pass verification through official channels such as the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS).

Who Gets Targeted

Victims are primarily entry-level practitioners under 35 transitioning into the AI field, students, and anxious white-collar workers. They generally lack knowledge of the MOHRSS vocational skill level certification system and are eager to add high-value qualifications to their resumes to boost competitiveness. They often rely on promises of 'no-exam certification,' 'guaranteed pass,' and 'officially verifiable' claims. Unable to independently verify the relationship between policy names and issuing bodies, they are easily misled by counterfeit organization names and pay for fraudulent services.

骗局怎么运作

• Step 1: Information dissemination and lead generation. Scammers run short videos and bidding advertisements on platforms like Douyin, Kuaishou, Xiaohongshu, and Baidu. They use screenshots of official documents released after the 2026 National Occupational Standards for AI Trainers as endorsements. Their pitch emphasizes that the new certificates are state-recognized, industry-accepted, and valid nationwide, often claiming 'only 30 spots left.' They deliberately blur the distinction between filing agencies and issuing bodies, packaging third-party commercial entities as official policy implementation channels.
• Step 2: Customer service engagement and qualification fabrication. After a user inquires, customer service sends a brochure styled with government-like red-headed document headers, claiming to be the exclusive local registration point for the issuing body. Quotes range from 3,980 to 19,800 RMB depending on the level. They request ID cards, academic credentials, and job descriptions, while emphasizing that no classes or exams are required. In reality, they only perform data registration and fee collection.
• Step 3: Certification and supporting forgery. About 7 to 15 working days after payment, users receive a professionally bound certificate with a title like 'AI Engineer' and a verification URL. This URL is not the official MOHRSS national networking system for skill talent evaluation, but a counterfeit site built by the scammers. Entering the certificate number displays information matching the certificate, creating the illusion of official verification. Some premium packages even include industry award trophies and corporate recommendation letters.
• Step 4: After-sales and recurring revenue extraction. When users attempt to use the certificate for employment or bidding and are found to have a fake document, they confront the agency. Customer service uses a standard script claiming the certificate was issued and the user is in breach of contract. They then demand additional fees to 'upgrade' to a real, verifiable certificate, exploiting the user's sunk cost fallacy. Often, even after paying more, the real certificate is never issued.
• Step 5: Name changes and damage control. When complaints accumulate or accounts are banned, scammers change the payment entity from Company A to an affiliated Company B. Original customer service contacts are severed, refund channels are closed, and operations continue on new accounts using the same tactics. They use names highly similar to legitimate organizations (e.g., NATF certification, NSAC standardized exams) to evade scrutiny, and some even rent offices near major tech companies or universities to pose as legitimate registration points.

红旗信号（看到这些快跑）

• 🚩 Claims of 'no-exam certification,' 'guaranteed pass,' or 'no classes required.' Any legitimate vocational skill level certification requires both theoretical and practical assessments; 'no-exam' is a major red flag.
• 🚩 Quotes significantly higher than official fees without public disclosure, and requests for transfers to private accounts rather than corporate accounts. Legitimate MOHRSS-related certifications are handled by registered enterprises or social training evaluation organizations at publicly disclosed rates.
• 🚩 The verification URL does not match the national networking system for skill talent evaluation. Legitimate certificates must be verified through the official MOHRSS system, not agency-built websites. Often, these sites use similar-sounding names or lack proper ICP filing.
• 🚩 Promises of 'guaranteed job placement,' 'guaranteed affiliation,' or 'high-paying positions,' often bundled with fake industry trophies and recommendation letters. Legitimate issuing bodies only certify skill levels and do not arrange employment or guarantee salaries.
• 🚩 Organization names are highly similar to official bodies, using names on the edge of compliance. They frequently change payment entities, provide no written contracts for service commitments, and refuse to provide clear refund policies or complaint procedures.

真实案例

• According to a report by Guangming Online on June 2, 2026, an investigation into the gray market for vocational certificates revealed a training agency charging 3,980 RMB for an AI-related certificate without an exam. Upon job application, the user's certificate number could not be verified in the MOHRSS national system. The issuing body was found to be a commercial association not registered with human resources authorities, and the user failed to obtain a refund. (Source: https://legal.gmw.cn/2026-06/02/content_38807404.htm)
• According to an official notice in 2026, the 'NSAC Standardized Exam' project identified the 'NATF Certification' as a suspected counterfeit. The organization used a name extremely similar to legitimate ones, charging high fees for non-official certificates. Legitimate bodies have issued notices advising practitioners to verify official names and channels, reserving the right to pursue legal action against infringement.
• According to a June 2026 report by the Southern Metropolis Daily, a 'high-level reporting expert' was exposed as a laborer with a forged identity. The agency packaged AI-generated content as expert services and claimed relevant qualifications. The Guangzhou Municipal Administration for Market Regulation stated it would follow up on the investigation. The report revealed agencies using AI qualification claims to charge parents high consulting fees for services that did not match the advertised credentials.
• In an investigation by the Economic Information Daily, a reporter purchased a Level 1 Tea Artist certificate from the 'China General Chamber of Commerce' for 450 RMB on Xianyu, and a 'Mechanical Equipment Installer' certificate from the 'China Construction Labor Society' for 300 RMB. The Zhengzhou Airport Economy Zone market regulation department investigated and fined Henan Xingshiping Education Consulting Co., Ltd. for operating beyond its scope and false advertising. The report was published on June 25, 2026. (Source: http://www.hn.xinhuanet.com/20260625/b59dbdb078054291b377220eb2746162/c.html)

Official Stance

• The Beijing Sanjianfang Town Government issued a warning on June 9, 2025, regarding 'no-exam' certificate scams, advising the public to be wary of training scams charging high fees under the guise of 'nationwide validity' and 'no-exam' claims, clarifying that legitimate certificates must be verifiable in the MOHRSS system.
• Xinhua News Agency reported on June 25, 2026, on the gray market for vocational certificates, noting that authorities have launched investigations into involved intermediaries and platforms are cleaning up non-compliant merchants. They urged the public to verify if the issuing body is registered with human resources authorities and warned that promises of high-paying affiliations and guaranteed passes are non-compliant.
• The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) released the 'Interim Measures for the Management of AI-Generated Interactive Services' on April 10, 2026, requiring clear labeling of AI-generated content and prohibiting the use of AI to impersonate human experts or credentials. Non-compliant entities face joint penalties from the CAC and market regulation departments.

How to Protect Yourself

• ✅ Step 1: Verify the issuing body's registration. Before paying, request the full organization registration number and social credit code. Search for the organization name in the MOHRSS national skill talent evaluation system. If it cannot be found or the name does not match, it is a counterfeit.
• ✅ Step 2: Compare fees with official public disclosures. Check the official website of the target issuing body for their fee schedule. If the agent's quote is higher or they request payment to a private account, stop the transaction and demand a formal invoice. Always ensure the payment recipient matches the contract party.
• ✅ Step 3: Review the application process for theoretical and practical assessments. Legitimate vocational skill level certifications include both. If the agency claims no exam is needed, refuse to sign up, take screenshots of the chat as evidence, and report the account to the platform.
• ✅ Step 4: Sign a written contract with refund terms. Verbal promises are invalid. Ensure the contract specifies exam arrangements, certificate type, verification channels, refund ratios for failure, and appeal paths. Ensure it is stamped with the agency's official seal. Keep payment receipts and invoices. If the certificate cannot be verified in the official system, report it immediately to 12315 and the local human resources department.