A recent law enforcement probe conducted by police in Tianjin has sounded a crucial warning for foreign nationals residing in or visiting China: all inbound foreigners must ensure their visa category aligns strictly with any activities they undertake within the country’s borders.
As reported by CCTV News, border inspection officials in Tianjin detected online marketing campaigns featuring foreign so‑called “masters” who traveled across China to deliver paid mystical and spiritual services. These commercial offerings included luck‑adjusting rituals, custom protective talismans, and a range of other supernatural‑themed services targeting local residents.
One key online operator, who went by the alias “Brother Feng”, claimed to partner with renowned overseas spiritual practitioners. He marketed a suite of fee‑based services to prospective clients, asserting that customized amulets and spiritual protection symbols could ward off misfortune and reverse people’s adverse luck in life.
The pricing for these spiritual services was exorbitant, and police investigations confirmed that the entire illegal scheme was primarily driven by the pursuit of huge economic gains.
Further police inquiries uncovered a critical legal violation: the foreign practitioners promoted in these online campaigns entered China on tourist and family visit visas, which do not authorize professional employment. None of them held valid Chinese work permits or work‑residence documentation, yet they openly carried out profitable commercial activities nationwide in breach of immigration and labor regulations.
What began as a localized operation along China’s southeastern coastal regions soon expanded into a nationwide touring business model. The illegal enterprise covered a wide scope of offerings, including crafting protective spiritual symbols, hosting customized religious rituals, and selling various spiritual ornaments and related merchandise.
Official statistics showed that the fraudulent spiritual service scheme accumulated nearly 10,000 clients nationwide, with the total involved funds reaching tens of millions of yuan.
Starting from April this year, Tianjin law enforcement authorities launched a special targeted crackdown on this illegal operation. Entities found guilty of illegally hiring foreign nationals received administrative penalties. Meanwhile, the foreign practitioners engaged in unauthorized work were held legally accountable and ordered to depart China within a specified time frame.
The case delivers a vital regulatory reminder for all foreigners staying in China. Regardless of one’s occupation title—whether a master, tutor, consultant, performer or other professional—any form of paid work in China mandates a legally valid visa status and official work authorization.
Holders of tourist or family visit visas should not mistakenly believe that casual paid work, event appearances, professional consultations or personal service jobs are permissible under their visa terms.
Foreign nationals are also advised to verify relevant regulatory rules upfront when approached with seemingly high‑profit business propositions. Completing the necessary official documentation in advance can effectively avoid severe legal repercussions in the future.
For the general public, police also issued a safety reminder: residents should stay vigilant against online services that claim to magically alter personal fortune, especially those charging excessive fees for such intangible spiritual services.
While good fortune is desirable, abiding by China’s visa and work regulations remains the most reliable guarantee for trouble‑free stay and activity in the country.
