Core Viewpoint - The online English training institution LingoAce, which targets Chinese students, is facing scrutiny for its practice of charging fees in USD while being registered in China, raising concerns about regulatory compliance and consumer protection [1][9][10]. Group 1: Payment Practices - LingoAce charges for its courses in USD, with a 72-class package priced at $1,512, equivalent to approximately ¥10,833.25 at current exchange rates [2][3]. - The payment is processed through a foreign entity, Airwallex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd., which has raised questions about the legitimacy of the transaction and compliance with local regulations [6][7][8]. - Another institution, 51Talk, also employs a similar USD payment method, citing its status as a U.S.-listed company and favorable exchange rates as reasons for this practice [5]. Group 2: Regulatory Concerns - Legal experts suggest that LingoAce's use of USD payments and foreign payment processing may constitute an attempt to evade domestic prepayment regulations, which require local oversight of such transactions [9][10]. - The Ministry of Education and other departments have issued guidelines mandating that all prepayments by educational institutions be subject to local regulatory scrutiny [8]. Group 3: Consumer Rights and Refund Issues - Consumers have reported a lack of contracts and receipts after making payments, complicating potential refund processes and raising concerns about consumer rights [11][12]. - Refund calculations are based on a different pricing structure than what was initially advertised, leading to higher effective costs per class when parents seek to withdraw from courses [13][18]. - LingoAce has acknowledged the discrepancies in pricing communication and is reviewing its promotional materials and refund policies to ensure transparency and compliance [18].