Content creators in China are increasingly facing extortion attempts from individuals using automated reporting services to trigger platform bans. By exploiting AI-driven moderation systems, these scammers submit mass complaints to force the removal of videos or accounts, subsequently demanding ransoms for their restoration. Investigations reveal that these malicious actors offer tiered pricing for their services on secondhand marketplaces and even provide training to recruits. Victims report that appealing these automated decisions is difficult and time-consuming, as platforms often prioritize immediate takedowns to mitigate liability. Experts argue that this practice, described as a form of online soft violence, highlights critical flaws in current moderation policies. They suggest that platforms must improve human oversight for high-risk reports and collaborate with law enforcement to address this growing trend of digital harassment and financial exploitation.
Source : [Sixth Tone](https://www.sixthtone.com/news/1018982/Scammers Are Targeting China’s Content Creators for Ransoms)
Photo : Sixth Tone
