Exposing the Scam: Professional Shop Closers and Their Elaborate Money-Making Schemes

The case of "桔子瑜伽" (Tangerine Yoga), a yoga studio in Beijing's Fengtai district, serves as a prime example. The studio's sudden closure left numerous customers in the lurch, with one customer, Wang, taking matters into her own hands by suing the individual responsible, surnamed Xue. The court ultimately ruled in Wang's favor, ordering Xue to refund her the remaining balance of her membership fee. However, this victory was only achieved after a lengthy and arduous process, highlighting the need for greater protection for consumers.

These "职业闭店人" typically operate by taking control of a struggling business, altering its operational structure, and devising schemes to swindle consumers out of their money. They often use tactics such as promoting fake activities, offering discounts, or promising refunds to lure customers into paying more money. Once the customers have paid, the business is closed, and the "职业闭店人" disappears, leaving the customers with significant financial losses. A deeper examination of their tactics reveals a cunning and exploitative pattern, involving the change of operating entities, appointment of individuals with no ability to repay debts as legal representatives, and orchestration of fundraising activities under the guise of celebrations or special events.

The activities of "职业闭店人" have a devastating impact on consumers, who not only lose their money but also their trust in businesses. The lack of effective regulation and oversight allows these individuals to operate with impunity, leaving consumers vulnerable to their schemes. In recent years, there has been an increase in the number of cases involving "职业闭店人", with the China Consumers' Association reporting over 15,000 complaints related to pre-paid consumption in 2024. The association has called for greater regulation and oversight to protect consumers from these individuals.

The underlying cause of this phenomenon stems from vulnerabilities in pre-payment consumption regulation and enterprise registration management. Exploiting these loopholes, "professional shop closers" compromise consumer rights and disrupt market order. Notably, this issue is most prevalent in the fitness, beauty and hairdressing, and education sectors. Efforts to combat these individuals are vital not only for safeguarding consumers but also for preserving a fair competitive environment in the market.

To prevent similar incidents from occurring, the government should swiftly enact legislation to severely punish these "professional shop closers" and strengthen regulations on prepaid consumption and business registration. Consumers should also exercise caution when purchasing membership cards or making prepayments, avoiding hasty recharge or prepayment. Through collective efforts, we can minimize the harm caused by these "professional shop closers," protect consumer rights, and promote fair market competition. Furthermore, it is essential to establish a robust complaint and grievance mechanism, enabling consumers to report suspicious activities and seek redress for their losses. By working together, we can create a safer and more transparent consumer environment, where businesses are held accountable for their actions, and consumers can make informed decisions without fear of exploitation.