Image Source: Indian Express
Key Highlights of the Shocking Episode
A man in Hangzhou, China was duped out of Rs 1 crore (over 870,000 yuan) after purchasing gym memberships and personal training sessions with an unbelievable 300-year validity period.
The scam involved a so-called "special promotion" where existing members were lured with the promise of high investment returns from reselling memberships.
The buyer, identified in media as Jin, signed 26 contracts for about 1,200 lessons and was promised full refunds if memberships were not resold, only to be left in the lurch when the gym’s management vanished.
Legal proceedings are now underway as the victim seeks justice, and the case has ignited lively debate and disbelief on social media about the perils of too-good-to-be-true offers.
How a Fitness Fan Became a Victim
The case centers around Jin, a loyal gym-goer at Ranyan Gym in Hangzhou’s Binjiang District, who had been working out there for three years before receiving an unusual pitch in May. A sales staffer presented him with a dazzling opportunity: buy a yearly membership for Rs 1.08 lakh and earn a hefty profit by allowing the gym to resell it to new clients at almost double the price. Jin would get 90% of the profit, with the gym taking just 10%.
Despite initial skepticism, Jin was repeatedly convinced by staff and aggressive marketing. Over two months, he dug deeper, buying more memberships and private lessons—at one point, spending over Rs 36 lakh in a single transaction.
The scheme grew rapidly: Jin signed 26 contracts, accumulating 1,200 classes and a combined membership duration pushing 300 years. With every step, promises mounted that if the resale didn’t happen within two months, all his money would be promptly refunded.
When the Deal Collapsed
Things unraveled in July. The scheduled deadline for his "returns" passed without payout. Contact with the gym’s finance department yielded only vague excuses about reviewing the payments. By the end of the month, Jin discovered the management and sales team had simply disappeared, leaving only reception staff at the gym.
Attempts to recover his funds hit another obstacle—none of the 26 contracts mentioned investment returns, and all included clauses making the memberships strictly non-transferable. The supposed "guarantees" made by salespeople were not reflected anywhere on paper.
Left with staggering losses, Jin took to local television and legal channels, exposing the gym’s practices and warning other consumers about similar too-good-to-be-true offers in the fitness industry.
Wider Reactions and Cautionary Lessons
The bizarre nature of the story created a viral storm online. Social media users reacted with a mix of disbelief, sympathy, and humor, with many joking about the absurdity of securing three centuries’ worth of gym access for future generations. Others pointed out that Jin, who described his purchases as a "commitment to health," was ultimately misled by clever sales tactics and the thrill of promised quick profits.
The incident also underscores the risks in the fitness and wellness industry around unsupervised promotions, ambiguous contracts, and aggressive up-selling. Legal experts highlight the importance of skepticism when faced with deals that seem far-fetched, and to never sign contracts without fully understanding the terms.
Ongoing Legal Action and the Current Situation
Jin has launched legal proceedings against the gym. Despite the management’s disappearance, the gym itself remains operational under new staff, while affected members pursue compensation. The episode is now being investigated by authorities, with consumer protection agencies warning the public to steer clear of similarly structured promotions.
The Final Takeaway
This saga stands as a cautionary tale for fitness enthusiasts and investors alike—when an offer seems impossibly generous, due diligence, written guarantees, and healthy skepticism are your best defenses against falling victim to creative scams.
Sources: South China Morning Post, Economic Times
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