I'd say that the trickery has become worse in the last few years, especially in Southern China.

Most DEFINITELY. But we can't name names or post negative reviews, lest we get threatened with lawsuits. I myself got threatened with a "tort of reputation" from an aggrieved businessman/recruiter on these very boards. My linkedin.com profile was also hacked by someone from the "security and investigations" industry in China, and I am pretty sure the same person was trying to hack my email also.

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/803ead00-8460-11df-9cbb-00144feabdc0.html

As a foreigner, we are no longer exempt from being sued.

But I agree with what you have written.

Cheers and red rock beers,
IM