The Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh has issued a warning to Chinese citizens. It advised them to avoid illegal cross-border marriage deals and be careful about online dating schemes. The embassy spoke out after seeing many cases where people were tricked by false “cross-border dating” content on short video apps. They also warned against trying to find “foreign wives” through unofficial networks or matchmaking agencies. These actions are not allowed under Chinese law.

The embassy said, “Reject the concept of ‘buying a foreign wife’ and think carefully before marrying in Bangladesh.” This warning is important because many of these marriages happen through illegal or harmful ways, which can cause big legal problems. Chinese law bans marriage agencies from helping with or hiding cross-border matchmaking. It also stops people from doing these things for money or by tricking others. The embassy asked anyone who falls victim to romance or marriage scams to report to China’s public security officials right away.

Bride trafficking and legal consequences

China faces a big problem with bride trafficking. The one-child policy and a cultural preference for sons caused a gender gap. Now, about 30 million Chinese men cannot find wives. These men are called “leftover men”. This has increased the need for foreign brides. A report by The Daily Star said some Bangladeshi women are sold in China as brides by criminal gangs. Many of these marriages are arranged illegally.

The embassy warned people that those involved in illegal cross-border marriages in Bangladesh might be arrested for human trafficking. In Bangladesh, the law is very strict. Organisers of human trafficking can get seven years to life in prison or even the death penalty. People who help with trafficking can get three to seven years in jail and pay fines up to 20,000 taka (about $185). Similar cases of trafficking Bangladeshi women to India have also been reported. In 2021, police in Dhaka arrested 11 people who used TikTok to trick women into the sex trade.

The Chinese Embassy’s warning is a serious call for people to be careful and avoid illegal marriage schemes that harm many lives.

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