Microsoft Teams Fuels $100K Romance Scams

Romance scammers in China are increasingly leveraging Microsoft Teams to defraud victims, with one individual losing over $100,000. The scam typically begins on social media, with perpetrators moving conversations to Teams, often providing victims with login credentials. This tactic allows scammers to control the narrative and later erase evidence by deactivating the accounts.

Chinese law enforcement agencies have issued warnings specifically naming Teams as a tool for these "pig-butchering" scams. Reviews on Chinese app stores reveal a consistent pattern of complaints dating back to 2022, with users reporting substantial losses ranging from $1,500 to $300,000. Microsoft acknowledges the exploitation of its brand and states it is strengthening protections and investigating abuse.

Microsoft has since introduced a warning banner for users in China and discontinued the personal version of Teams there. Similar scams have also been reported using other corporate communication platforms like Cisco's Webex and Zoho's Cliq. Unlike Western platforms, popular Chinese apps like WeChat often flag investment scam risks proactively.