Actress Jacquelin Ch’ng suspects work invitation to Thailand after Chinese celebrities’ scams

Hong Kong actress Jacquelin Ch’ng. Photo from Ch’ng's Instagram

According to Dimsum Daily, Ch’ng revealed on Instagram that she had received an invitation, written in Chinese, from a purported Thai advertising agency. The proposal offered a "six-figure budget" for her to participate in a swimsuit brand campaign, granting exclusive usage rights for promotional photos over six months. The suggested filming locations included Phuket or Pattaya.

Despite the enticing offer, Ch’ng immediately questioned its authenticity, describing it as suspicious. She voiced her concerns online, writing: "Upon receiving this advertising invitation, which mentions filming in Thailand, how can one determine whether it is genuine or fake?"

Her apprehension reflects growing fears over scams targeting entertainment industry figures, a concern highlighted by the recent cases of Wang and Yang.

Known for his role in "Ip Man 3" and by his stage name Xing Xing, Wang arrived in Thailand on Jan. 3 after responding to a job advertisement. He was reportedly taken from Phuket by a job brokerage company to Chai Nat, a central Thai province, and later to Mae Sot, a district near the Thai-Myanmar border. Shortly after, he lost contact with his relatives and girlfriend.

Rescued on Jan. 7, Wang recounted being forcibly transported across a river into Myanmar, where armed individuals took him to a house with at least 50 other Chinese nationals and foreigners. He described how all detainees were forced to shave their heads and undergo text-based scamming training over three days. However, he had not yet started training for phone scams.

Thai police later confirmed Wang was a victim of human trafficking, according to Hongxing News.

In another case, Yang was reportedly taken to the Thai-Myanmar border in Tak Province on Dec. 21, 2024, after arriving in Bangkok. His last contact with his family was a video call on Dec. 29, 2024. During the call, Yang appeared distressed and was not holding a phone, raising suspicions that the call had been staged by his captors.

Yang’s father subsequently sought help from Thai authorities, urging them to expedite efforts to find his son. Earlier this month, Yang was confirmed to have been rescued and safely returned to China.

Ch’ng, 45, made her acting debut in 1998 and has appeared in dramas such as "Brain Juice," "Iceman," and "Lost in Hong Kong."