A bizarre and disturbing online scam has rocked China as police in Nanjing uncovered a massive case involving a man known as “Nanjing Hongjie” (also nicknamed “Red Grandpa”) who impersonated a woman online to lure unsuspecting men into sexual encounters. Authorities revealed that the man, surnamed Jiao, is a 38-year-old from out of province who was living in Nanjing. He has since been arrested and placed under criminal detention as of July 6 on charges of distributing obscene material.
According to a statement by the police, Jiao regularly wore wigs and makeup, using filters and voice-changing technology to present himself as a woman online. He then arranged in-person meetings with male users, which led to sexual activity. Shocking video footage of these encounters began surfacing online, sparking intense public discussion.
The videos showed that many of the men would show up bearing gifts—such as peanut oil, fruit, or milk—before engaging in sexual activity with “Hongjie.” Jiao allegedly filmed these encounters and sold the content through online platforms.
Reports noted that while some men discovered Hongjie’s real gender upon meeting, many still went through with the act, reportedly reasoning that “they had already come all this way.” Others reacted violently upon realizing the deception, with some attacking Jiao on the spot.
Despite the scandal, some men returned for repeat encounters. One particular man appeared in videos across all four seasons, earning him the nickname “Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter.” The viral videos even turned into an unexpected “cheaters list,” with netizens claiming to recognize relatives, boyfriends, and even husbands in the footage.
On July 8, police confirmed that a staggering 1,691 men were involved in the case, including married men, gym trainers, international visitors, and university athletes. Rumors also circulated that 11 individuals contracted HIV through these encounters. However, a statement released later that day by Douyin’s (TikTok China) fact-checking platform clarified that the figure of “11 HIV cases” and “237 verified identities” was not accurate after official verification.
Jiao was officially detained by police on July 5 and is currently under investigation for disseminating obscene materials. Local disease control authorities have stepped in to assist, advising anyone who may have had close contact with Jiao or who feels uncertain about their health to get tested. While Jiao’s personal health records remain private, authorities confirmed they will continue to provide updates.
Police also issued a legal reminder: under Chinese law, knowingly having unprotected sex while carrying HIV or other STDs with multiple people may constitute a criminal offense. If such behavior results in widespread transmission or serious consequences, penalties can range from three to ten years in prison, and in extreme cases, up to life imprisonment or the death penalty under charges of endangering public safety.
If Jiao is found to have knowingly spread disease, the case could escalate into one of public safety crimes—one of the most serious offenses under Chinese law.
