Blind dating shows in China scam contestants: CCTV

[NewWorldRecord]

Blind dating shows in China scam contestants: CCTV
Staff Reporter 2013-10-28 09:18

Contenders on a blind date TV show in China. (Photo/CNS)

Blind date TV shows in China have recently been criticized as tools to collect money illegally from single middle-aged men and young women, as the shows fail to introduce the men and women to each other, according to state broadcaster China Central Television.

A recent CCTV program claimed that such TV shows are more like model contests showing off young girls in skimpy outfits. The women selected are usually looking to marry into extreme wealth.

During the program, viewers are privy to dozens of female contenders parading in short skirts, stockings, high heels and formal dresses. The wealthy men they are flaunting their stuff for, however, are nowhere to be seen in the show.

Wealthy men who want to become part of the "selection committee" have to pay at least 200,000 yuan (US$33,000). The female contestants do not have to pay anything.

The women make it perfectly clear about what they are after. "Capable men work hard to be wealthy. But it also takes a capable woman to marry a wealthy man," said one contestant.

"I just want to find someone to love me dearly. But of course, he should have a good income. I would rather choose to be single than marrying a poor man because life with him is going to be a drag. Nowadays, the cost of living is really high and salaries are really low," said another.

One of the shows features a young girl just out of high school being towed around by her mother, who wishes to find her daughter a man who is professionally ambitious and responsible. She does not care (nothing is mentioned on the daughter's part) if her daughter's suitor already has children from a previous marriage. Her daughter can take care of any leftover offspring.

"My daughter will take the university entrance exam soon, but she will have to marry sooner or later. So I thought, why not take this chance? Maybe she will meet someone," another mother said during the report.

A third-year senior high school girl said most people think she is too young to marry, but she does not care. "I am just giving it a try. It is not a big deal. Blind dating a wealthy man is just dating someone with money, that's all," she said.

It was also reported that an allegedly illegal club headquartered in Guangzhou has been attracting male members who can choose who they want to marry from the shows. But the club has allegedly run into problems with low membership, and a lack of extravagance amongst those who are accepted.