08-07-2025
What is China's ‘Red Uncle' scandal? Man, 38, disguises as woman, allegedly films intimate acts with over 1,600 'heterosexual' men
A bizarre and disturbing case out of Nanjing province of China has taken over Chinese social media after a man, now dubbed the 'Red Uncle,' was accused of posing as a woman to lure men into sexual encounters. According to Chinese media reports, the man allegedly seduced and secretly filmed more than 1,000 men. Platforms like Weibo and X (formerly Twitter) exploded with reactions, especially after some clips from the alleged encounters began circulating. The scandal topped trending lists under hashtags like '#RedUncle,' with many users expressing disbelief and concern about how long the deception lasted.
Police arrest 38-year-old suspect, deny that he is 60 years old
On July 5, Jiangning police in Nanjing arrested a man surnamed Jiao, confirming that he had been impersonating a woman and recording his encounters without the other party's consent. However, authorities quickly shut down the wilder online claims, including the viral figure that he had tricked 1,691 men. The police clarified that the suspect is actually 38 years old—not 60, as early rumours suggested—and that while several victims are confirmed, the internet has exaggerated the scope of the case. Jiao is currently detained on charges related to spreading obscene materials, with the investigation still ongoing.
Inside the 'Red Uncle' disguise: wigs, whiteface, and a shabby room
What has truly captured public attention is the shocking level of effort Jiao allegedly put into his disguise. Viral footage from Weibo shows him dressed in full-body Western-style dresses, with a wig and heavily whitened face makeup. The encounters reportedly took place in a bare-bones room that appeared in every video, adding to the eerie consistency. Victims were allegedly told to bring items like milk, cooking oil, watermelons, or small appliances, and in some clips, guests look visibly confused or hesitant. Many netizens have questioned how so many men were fooled, while others pointed out that consent and deception aren't always easy to untangle in real time.
News of man disguised as woman to lure '1,691 heterosexual men' into sex send shockwaves across China — ReutersThe 36 yo 'recorded and distributed sexual encounters online'Nanjing police says man detained, but disputes figureFootage from Chinese microblogging website Weibo
Public fears rise over privacy and health risks
As details of the case continue to emerge, public discourse has shifted from shock to concern. Beyond the clear violations of privacy and consent, there's rising anxiety about potential health risks.
Users on X and Weibo have speculated about the possibility of sexually transmitted diseases being spread through these encounters. Chinese law states that knowingly exposing others to STDs without disclosure can result in three to ten years in prison and even harsher penalties if serious harm occurs.
While there is no public confirmation of health issues tied to the case yet, authorities are urging anyone affected to come forward. More details in the case are awaited.
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