Procuratorial organs nationwide have handled criminal cases involving 1,546 individuals related to matchmaking agencies between January 2024 and March 2025.
According to procuratorial organs, investigations into these cases have revealed that some criminals have been using matchmaking agencies as a front for fraudulent activities, some matchmaking agencies have been illegally engaging in foreign-related matchmaking services, and some dating websites have become a front for criminal activities, highlighting the urgent need for regulation and oversight.
In some cases, offenders have been deceiving individuals under the guise of "legitimate" and "professional" matchmaking agencies. Currently, matchmaking agencies in China operate on a registration basis without prior screening. While there are recommended national standards for the qualifications of matchmaking service providers, there are no mandatory requirements. In practice, some agencies deceived people by claiming to be "legitimate and qualified matchmaking agencies" or "professional matchmakers".
Some offenders were found to have committed fraud by fabricating identities. In such cases, certain matchmaking agencies and dating websites were found to be lax in verifying the information of registered members, allowing some individuals to create false identities for fraudulent purposes.
Some matchmaking agencies were found to have illegally engaged in foreign-related match-making services. According to relevant regulations, domestic matchmaking agencies and any other entities are prohibited from engaging, directly or indirectly, in foreign-related matchmaking services. Some agencies and individuals were found to have engaged in foreign-related matchmaking services illegally to earn high intermediary fees.
Some dating websites became a front for criminal activities. Some organized criminal gangs involved in telecommunications fraud and investment scams were found to have used dating websites to identify targets and redirect victims to other websites or apps to deceive them into making continuous payments and transfers, defrauding them of their money.
Procuratorial authorities stated that a healthy market for matchmaking services requires collaboration between regulatory bodies, matchmaking agencies and consumers. Matchmakers should uphold the principles of honest operation, comply with regulations, and provide high-quality matchmaking services. The public is encouraged to develop a rational approach to dating and relationships, make informed choices when selecting matchmaking agencies, strengthen their awareness of potential risks, and report any illegal activities by matchmaking agencies to relevant authorities promptly to safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.
