An official from the Ministry of Commerce said on Monday that a project marketed in China as "China Commercial Town" is fraudulent.

The scheme, which the ministry said was hosted by (Bangladesh) Jinding Industrial Investment Management Co. Ltd., has been offering labor export services to people in some areas of the country for non-existent jobs.

"The project is recruiting laborers such as hotel staff. Chinese companies and individuals should be careful," said the ministry official.

The company has promoted a labor export program in areas including Henan Province and Tianjin Municipality.

Labor export has increased in recent years and the Ministry of Commerce has issued many warnings to citizens to avoid risk to their property and life by not getting involved with illicit intermediaries.

Last week, eight men from Fujian Province returned after being taken hostage in Iraq. Many people from Fujian and elsewhere in China use intermediary agencies to seek work abroad.

(Xinhua News Agency February 1, 2005)