A crackdown in China targets scams that use Microsoft Teams as a fraud conduit, with victims reporting losses from roughly RMB 1,500 up to RMB 1.48 million as scammers pose as researchers or recruiters and lure victims into logging in via Teams.

Authorities and platforms are warning users about Teams-based fraud, with local bureaus naming Teams as a scam tool and platforms like Maimai flagging risk keywords tied to Teams and Skype.

The schemes often mix romance and investment pitches, including cryptocurrency projects, with impersonations of Microsoft staff or other professionals to build trust.

The trend extends to other enterprise apps such as Webex and Zoho Cliq, with Chinese app store reviews noting scam references and companies taking steps like disabling online payments and suspending suspected scammers’ accounts.

Victims describe scammers creating or controlling Teams accounts, sharing login credentials, and guiding victims under pretenses of work or private projects before withdrawing funds and erasing chat histories, hindering investigations.

Teams is particularly attractive to scammers because it remains accessible in China and offers features like screen sharing and remote control, which can facilitate manipulation, while Western platforms are seen as less prepared to curb such fraud.

Microsoft acknowledges the abuse, saying it investigates misuse, takes action against violators, and enhances protections; in 2026 it began displaying general scam warnings in China and discontinued the personal version of Teams there, restricting access to enterprise accounts.