BOSS Zhipin (BOSS直聘) warns of “high‑pay AI漫剧师” scam — pay‑first course sales disguised as recruitment

Platform alert and the scam's hook

BOSS Zhipin (BOSS直聘) has issued a warning to users about a wave of job posts advertising high‑pay positions for so‑called “AI漫剧师” — a loosely defined role tied to AI‑assisted comic or short‑drama production. It has been reported that these listings lure applicants with above‑market salaries and rapid hiring promises, but the real objective is to extract upfront payments for training courses or “reservation” fees. In Chinese online parlance the scheme is described as 招转培 — recruit, transfer, then train — and victims say the promised jobs never materialize.

How the racket reportedly works

The operation reportedly begins with attractive job ads on recruitment platforms. Interested candidates are directed to pay for proprietary courses, assessment fees or “placement” services to secure the role. It has been reported that, after payment, contact details go dark or the employer is revealed to be a middleman offering only paid training rather than employment. Victims describe a classic upfront‑payment scam: you pay now, you never get the job — only the course materials the fraudster sells repeatedly.

Why this matters now

Why is this surfacing amid a boom in AI hiring? Because the buzz around generative tools creates demand for “new” roles and lowers scrutiny. Platforms like BOSS Zhipin sit at the intersection of that demand and vulnerable jobseekers. Regulators in China have recently tightened oversight of online platforms and vocational training sales, partly to curb fraud and mis‑selling; it has been reported that platforms are stepping up monitoring and removing suspicious listings, but enforcement remains a game of catch‑up.

Practical steps for jobseekers

Experts advise caution: never pay for a job under any circumstances; verify company registration and ask for an employment contract before transferring money; use platform dispute channels and, where possible, meet recruiters in person or via verified corporate accounts. For Western readers unfamiliar with China’s online job market: paid‑training scams are a recurring issue and are now adapting to AI’s hype. Platforms and regulators can act — but vigilance by jobseekers remains the first line of defense.