Authorities in China have arrested a 38-year-old man in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, for allegedly secretly filming sexual encounters with hundreds of men and distributing the footage online without consent.
The suspect, identified by his surname Jiao, reportedly disguised himself in wigs, make-up, and women’s clothing to lure unsuspecting men into his home, where he had installed a hidden camera. He later shared the videos through a private online group that charged members a 150 yuan (US$21) fee, according to local media reports.
Jiao, who has earned the nickname “Nanjing Uncle Red,” claimed to have had intimate encounters with over 1,600 men, though police say this number may be exaggerated. Some victims only discovered the deception after seeing themselves in leaked clips circulating online, prompting several to file complaints with authorities.
The scandal quickly gained traction on Chinese social media, where it topped trending topics and triggered widespread public concern over issues of privacy, consent, and public health. Despite warnings from police not to circulate the videos, close-up images of some victims were reportedly shared, leading to their identification by family, friends, and colleagues.
The incident has also sparked alarm over potential health risks, prompting Nanjing’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention to offer medical checkups to individuals who believe they may have been affected.
Jiao has been detained on charges of disseminating obscene material, an offense under China’s Criminal Law that carries a penalty of up to two years in prison. He may also face further legal action for violating privacy and portrait rights.
Elikplim Awuku
