A 38-year-old man in Nanjing, eastern China, has been arrested for secretly filming sexual encounters with numerous men while disguised as a woman.

The case has sparked widespread public health concerns and dominated Chinese social media discussions.

Cross-Dressing Deception Leads to Secret Recordings

Police in Nanjing, Jiangsu province, arrested the suspect surnamed Jiao on 5 Jul 2025 and detained him on 6 Jul 2025. He had been operating under the online pseudonym “南京阿红 (Nanjing Ah Hong)” and was later nicknamed “Nanjing Uncle Red” by mainland media.

Jiao wore heavy makeup, long hair wigs, and women’s clothing to deceive his victims. He also faked his voice during encounters. The suspect installed a hidden camera in his flat and recorded himself having sex with male visitors without their consent.

The 38-year-old man was initially rumoured to be 60 years old. He claimed to have had sexual encounters with 1,691 men, though police stated this figure was exaggerated. Authorities have not disclosed the actual number of victims or revealed how much Jiao profited from the scheme.

Screenshots circulating on social media showed Jiao conducting live-streaming sessions while wearing makeup and a brown wig with bangs. Other images captured him meeting different men in a room equipped with a closet and bed.

He was seen wearing a surgical mask, long-sleeve top, and half-body dress during these encounters.

Jiao did not charge the men for sex, only asking them to bring small gifts. Some visitors brought milk or fruit, while one man gave him half a bottle of cooking oil. Some men reportedly realised he was cross-dressing during their encounters.

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One seemed to keep coming back for more.

Public Health Concerns and Online Backlash Emerge

The case came to light after some victims recognised themselves in leaked videos and reported Jiao to police. He had been sharing the footage in an online group, charging a membership fee of 150 yuan (~SGD$31) per person to join.

Despite police warnings about sharing Jiao’s videos, close-up images of the men’s faces continued circulating online. Some men were recognised by friends and families through social media accounts discovered by online observers.

One victim was identified by a mother as an English teacher at a kindergarten. A woman reportedly discovered her fiancé among the headshots circulating online.

The news shocked the online community and topped trending lists on multiple social media platforms. Weibo users noted that Jiao’s visitors appeared to come from various age groups, including individuals who looked like gym-goers.

On 8 Jul 2025, Nanjing’s Centre for Disease Control and Prevention told Chinese media outlet Jimu News that they had intervened and were prepared to conduct health checks for those concerned about their well-being.

The CDC declined to reveal whether Jiao has contagious diseases, citing privacy protection.

A police officer in Nanjing, who is also an online influencer with 5.5 million followers on social media platform @jiangningpopo, posted a meme of a man washing his eyes and said: “I thought I had seen it all.”

Social media users expressed various concerns. One woman commented: “I wonder how many women are victims behind these men.” Another person remarked: “It is scary as you do not know whether those around you are one of Uncle Red’s visitors.”

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Jiao’s nickname also prompted discussions about women’s rights. He originally used the self-given nickname “Sister Red”, which media later changed to “Uncle Red” after complaints that the name stigmatises women.

He was detained on 6 Jul 2025 for spreading obscene materials.

According to China’s Criminal Law, spreading obscene material carries a punishment of up to two years in jail.

A lawyer told China Newsweek that if a person has unprotected intimate interactions with many people knowing they have contagious diseases, they could face imprisonment from three to 10 years.

Jiao might also face legal punishment for violating other people’s privacy and portrait rights.

Police investigations into the case remain ongoing.