Chinese Newspaper Impersonated in Bitcoin Extortion Scam

China Business Journal, a state-affiliated newspaper, has been impersonated by scammers who are extorting companies by demanding Bitcoin in exchange for suppressing negative reports.

The publication stated that fraudsters used a Proton Mail address to contact businesses, claiming they had uncovered damaging information through undercover investigations and threatening to publish the material unless paid in Bitcoin.

China Business Journal emphasized that these emails were unauthorized and that the scheme appears to constitute fraud. The newspaper is collecting evidence and reserves the right to pursue civil and criminal action against those responsible.