Shenzhen redefines heroism to include online fraud-busting

Shenzhen will become the first city in China to expand the legal definition of civic heroism to include acts such as stopping online fraud, exposing staged accident scams, and intervening in school bullying, according to a revised regulation taking effect Dec. 1.

Meituan delivery rider Mo Yanfeng (C) is honored by the Longhua Subdistrict Federation of Trade Unions on May 29, 2026, for extinguishing an electric bicycle fire that threatened nearby vehicles and residential buildings in Shenzhen. The city's revised regulation expands the legal definition of civic heroism to recognize a wider range of such acts. Bao'an Daily

The new law formally classifies a broad range of "Good Samaritan" acts — including thwarting online and telecommunications fraud, exposing "staged" traffic accident scams, and intervening in campus harassment — as “righteous and courageous acts.” The move marks the first time a city in the country has extended statutory protection and recognition to such heroic deeds performed in digital and everyday social settings.

Passed recently by the city’s legislative body, the overhaul updates an ordinance originally enacted in 1997. Officials said the revision, the first in nearly 30 years, reflects the evolving nature of bravery in a modern society, moving beyond traditional physical rescues or the prevention of violent crimes.

Under the updated rules, citizens who persuade potential victims to avoid online scams or publicly call out fraudsters who fake accidents to demand compensation, known locally as “pengci,” will be eligible for official commendation. The law also explicitly covers those who voluntarily stop bullying on school campuses.

A surveillance camera captures a suspected staged traffic accident, or "pengci," in Shenzhen. The revised city regulation expands legal recognition of civic heroism to include exposing staged accident scams, alongside preventing online fraud and intervening in school bullying. File photo 

The regulation establishes a streamlined system for recognizing these acts through application, recommendation, or proactive official confirmation. While applications must generally be filed within six months of an incident, the deadline can be extended to three years for those who are hospitalized or face significant hurdles in gathering evidence. Evaluation committees managed by public security authorities will oversee the verification process to ensure transparency.

For those injured while performing a recognized act, the law mandates that medical institutions provide immediate emergency treatment through "green channels" before requiring payment. If a perpetrator cannot be found or refuses to pay, expenses will be covered upfront by a specialized government fund. Additionally, employers are prohibited from terminating mployment of or docking the wages of employees taking medical leave due to injuries sustained during such acts.

The city is also offering a comprehensive package of social incentives. Recognized individuals and their families will receive priority admission to public kindergartens and schools, as well as preference in government-subsidized housing programs. Benefits also include free use of public buses and the metro, and along with free entry to government-run tourist attractions.

For those facing financial hardship, the regulation provides for subsistence allowances and other forms of financial assistance. Entrepreneurs recognized for their bravery may also receive streamlined business registration services and tax reductions.

To shield "heroes" from secondary harm, the law imposes strict penalties on anyone who falsely accuses, retaliates against, or subjects these individuals to online defamation.

In a rare cross-jurisdictional provision, Shenzhen residents who perform courageous acts outside the city but are recognized elsewhere can still claim local benefits. If the rewards provided by another region are lower than Shenzhen's standards, the municipal government will pay the difference, ensuring consistent support for its citizens regardless of where they acted courageously.