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China’s State TV Exposes AI-Faked Defect Refund Scam Targeting E-Commerce Sellers

Experts urge merchants to preserve evidence as new AIGC labeling rules set clear marking requirements for generated content.

Overview

  • Buyers are submitting AI-generated images that depict fabricated product defects to request refunds without returning goods.
  • A CCTV report highlighted a plush toy case in which a buyer sent a burn‑like, cracked image that an AI detection tool flagged as showing clear synthetic traces.
  • Sellers say they ship intact items yet receive refund-only claims backed by doctored photos presented as proof of quality problems.
  • Legal specialists note that obtaining money through AI-forged evidence may constitute a criminal offense when the amounts are significant.
  • China’s AIGC labeling measure effective September 1 requires explicit or implicit markers on generated content, including prominent indicators on images.