起底“职业闭店人”

Core Viewpoint - The rise of "professional store closers" has led to an increase in fraudulent activities within the prepaid consumption sector, particularly in industries like education and fitness, where businesses close suddenly, leaving consumers with financial losses [1][2][4]. Group 1: Fraudulent Activities - Many businesses, especially in the education and fitness sectors, have been reported to close suddenly after changing ownership and conducting promotional activities, leading to significant consumer losses [1][2]. - A recent case in Shanghai involved a group of individuals who operated under the guise of managing educational institutions, ultimately defrauding consumers of over 1 million yuan [2][3]. Group 2: Mechanisms of Operation - "Professional store closers" assist struggling businesses in planning their closure and evading responsibilities, often by changing the legal representatives to individuals with no financial capability [4][6]. - These individuals typically lure consumers into prepaying for services through aggressive promotional tactics, only to close the business shortly after [5][10]. Group 3: Legal Implications - The actions of "professional store closers" violate consumer rights and disrupt market order, leading to potential civil liabilities for damages incurred by consumers [8][9]. - Legal risks for these individuals include civil compensation responsibilities and potential criminal charges for fraud, especially under new consumer protection laws [9][10]. Group 4: Consumer Awareness - Consumers are advised to exercise caution with prepaid services, ensuring they understand the terms and conditions, and to keep records of transactions to protect their rights [10].