Fake ChatGPT Pro Low-Price Subscription Scam: Frequent Account Bans

Who Gets Targeted

Most victims are AI tool enthusiasts, students, and freelancers who are eager to try new technology and are cost-sensitive. Scammers exploit the hype surrounding AI democratization, dangling low-price bait to lure users who lack technical knowledge. After payment, they use the facade of 'tech experts' to convince users that they are receiving official-level features, ultimately leading to account bans and unrecoverable funds.

骗局怎么运作

• Step 1: Post advertisements or short videos titled 'ChatGPT Pro for only 99 Yuan - Limited Time Offer,' using official logos and layouts. The content demonstrates features using AI-generated text to induce users to click the link.
• Step 2: Clicking the link redirects to a counterfeit website or prompts a direct download of a standalone application. It requests the installation of 'professional plugins' or account registration for full access, while simultaneously requesting permissions for the camera, microphone, or location in pop-ups to secretly collect device information.
• Step 3: The page guides users to complete payment via a third-party interface. Upon successful payment, an animation saying 'Subscription Enabled' is displayed, but there is no actual backend service; the money is funneled into illegal channels.
• Step 4: After the first login, some features may work briefly, but the system soon triggers a pop-up stating, 'Account banned, please contact official customer support.' The account is immediately restricted, preventing the user from accessing any further services.
• Step 5: Users attempting to contact support or submit refund requests are met with a fake page stating, 'Please wait patiently, we will follow up shortly,' with no actual response provided, leaving the user unable to recover their payment.

红旗信号（看到这些快跑）

• 🚩 The price is significantly lower than the official rate, often near the cost price.
• 🚩 The marketing page is not hosted on any legitimate app store and provides direct download or payment links.
• 🚩 Developer information is vague, using domains or email addresses similar to official ones, and lacks corporate registration details.
• 🚩 Unauthorized permission requests, such as camera, microphone, or location access, pop up immediately upon first use.
• 🚩 Abnormal prompts like 'Account banned' or 'Unable to log in' appear immediately after login, accompanied by ineffective or automated customer support responses.

真实案例

• Reports indicate that multiple users who purchased low-price ChatGPT Pro subscriptions faced repeated account bans due to ongoing regulatory crackdowns, with no way to recover their funds.
• Authorities reported a series of fake Claude 5X gift card scams on Telegram, which led to dozens of account thefts and financial losses.
• Reports show that websites were promoting 'DeepSeek' replicas with 49 Yuan local deployment packages, resulting in buyer complaints and cumulative losses reaching millions of Yuan.
• In April 2023, the Xuhui District Market Supervision Bureau investigated Shanghai Entropy Cloud Network Technology Co., Ltd. for a fake ChatGPT subscription scam. The 'ChatGPT' service they operated was not the actual product. They had 4,231 registered paying users, with illegal business revenue totaling 125,385 Yuan, resulting in a fine of 62,692 Yuan. (Source: https://cj.sina.cn/articles/view/6192937794/17120bb42020024stv?finpagefr=p_104&vt=4)
• In August 2026, OpenAI released a report disclosing that it had dismantled a Cambodia-based scam network earlier that year. The group used ChatGPT to mass-produce fake identities, generate deceptive scripts for translation, and support various scams including investment, romance, gambling, and impersonation of law enforcement. Internal communications estimated the network had reached hundreds of targets, with some victims losing thousands of dollars in a single transaction. (Source: https://www.secrss.com/articles/92728)

Official Stance

• 2026-06-13 Cyberspace Administration of China: Strictly cracking down on third-party low-price ChatGPT Pro scams; beware of account bans caused by unauthorized payments.
• 2026-08-07 Chinese Cyberspace Authorities: Issued a notice regarding fake Claude gift card transactions on Telegram, warning the public to prevent account theft.
• 2026-03-15 Regulatory Authorities: Intensifying crackdowns on chaotic AI training/sales training and low-price subscription platforms, emphasizing the importance of official channels.

How to Protect Yourself

• ✅ Download official versions only from legitimate channels (e.g., App Store, Google Play) and avoid any third-party download links.
• ✅ Compare prices with official sources; be highly suspicious of any discount greater than 30% off the official price.
• ✅ Before paying, verify that the payment interface is an official platform or authorized channel. Any payment platform other than standard ones like Alipay or WeChat should be considered a risk.
• ✅ If the system displays a 'banned' or abnormal status after registration or login, contact official support immediately and stop using the service.