The play, Article 266, explores the dangers of online fraud, particularly targeting students. Set in a school environment, the story follows three students—A, B, and C—who unknowingly fall victim to various scams. The play ends on a thought-provoking note, with a fake video call from a pop star as a final warning against trusting unverified sources.
Article 266
Written by Grace Yirui Wang
Directed by Grace Yirui Wang
Casting
Student A – Xiaorong Zeng
Student B – Dongpo Zhang
Student C – Lijiao Yang
Swindler – Yuping Tian
Student B’s Mother – Tingfeng Xie
Teacher – Mengxi Tian
Fang Datong (voice only) – Junyi Lin
Location
Huayuan No.3 Middle School Auditorium, Biancheng Town, Xiangxi City, Hunan Province, China
Setting and Props
As this play aims to explain societal issues and pass law knowledge, the play adapts a minimalist style, which means there are minimal props and set pieces used throughout the play. The props used are chairs, a table, note boards, an advertisement flyer, and specially designed law boards.
Costume and Make-ups
No special costume or make-ups are used.
Plot
Plot Summary
The play, Article 266, explores the dangers of online fraud, particularly targeting students. Set in a school environment, the story follows three students—A, B, and C—who unknowingly fall victim to various scams. Student C is lured by a fake job advertisement, while Student B is tricked by a fraudulent phone call promising lottery winnings. Both students provide personal information, which leads to severe financial and emotional consequences. Through interactions with parents, teachers, and peers, the students learn about their mistakes and the steps needed to prevent further harm. The play ends on a thought-provoking note, with a fake video call from a pop star as a final warning against trusting unverified sources.
Scene 1
An advertising flyer flies to the center of the stage, foreshadowing the plot of getting scammed. This flyer also denotes the easily approached essence of fake advertisements.
Scene 2
Student C discovers a flyer for a part-time job, tempted by the promise of earning money quickly, while Students A and B invite C to join them for karaoke, foreshadowing the future scams.
Scene 3
This scene expands on how student C gets scammed. Student C calls the Swindler after scanning a QR code for a part-time job. The Swindler manipulates C into providing sensitive personal information, promising easy earnings through online shopping and reviews, leading C into a fraudulent trap.
Scene 4
Student B is deceived by a phone call from a scammer posing as a lottery official. Believing he has won a prize, B naively provides his ID and bank card details, falling victim to the scam.
Scene 5
In this scene, Student C experiences strange phone calls and signal issues after providing personal information online. The teacher suspects fraud, urging C to contact the police and freeze her bank account to prevent further financial damage.
Scene 6
Student B's parent discovers a large unauthorized bank charge. B admits to sharing card details after a fake lottery call. The parent explains the scam, referencing Article 266, and advises reporting the fraud to authorities with all related evidence.
Scene 7
In this scene, the teacher addresses the students about recent fraud incidents, emphasizing the importance of protecting personal information. She explains the legal consequences of fraud under Article 266 and encourages students to seek help from trusted adults when in doubt.
Scene 8
Student A receives a video call from someone impersonating Chinese pop singer Fang Datong, asking for 500 RMB in exchange for dinner. This highlights another form of fraud, using celebrity impersonation to deceive victims.
Original Script (English Version)
Scene 1
(An advertising flyer flies to the center of the stage)
Scene 2 - School Playground
(The school bell rings, and a group of students comes to the playground ENT SL, carrying backpacks, textbooks, and stationery, playing and chatting.) (Student A comes on stage SR, soccer ball in hand/...)
Student A: (walks to roughly the middle of the stage) Let's go sing together! My favorite singer Fang Datong just released a new song!
Student B: Come on, I'm telling you, I've recently heard a new song called “Yu Wo Wu Guan”, it's especially good, let's go to KTV together next time! (Goes down to SL with A, leaving Student C on stage)
Student C: I love Shen Yicheng! I want to go to his concert! But the tickets are too expensive, they cost hundreds dollars each. (Kicks small stones and walks around the stage)
Student C: (walks over to the flyer) Eh? Part-time job? A single three dollars? If it's three dollars a single, I can afford to buy that ticket if I do a hundred! (continues to read the contents of the flyer, takes out his cell phone from his school bag, intending to scan the QR code for more information)
Student A&B: (ENT SL) C! Want to come sing with us? Come on, come on!
(Student C hurriedly stuffs his cell phone and flyer into his school bag, picks up his things, and chases after A&B, EXT SL)
Scene 3 - Student C's home
(Student C scans the QR code but doesn't respond, so he calls the phone number at the bottom of the QR code) (CS off L)
(Cell phone dialing sounds)
Student C: Hello? Hello, is this a part-time swipe job?
Swindler: (DSR) Yes, you are interested in this part-time job, right? We are a formal platform, a formal part-time job. Please provide me with your personal information first, I will register.
Student C: Ah? What kind of information do I need? Can I not provide it?
Swindler: You can rest assured that we are information confidentiality, you provide information we only do registration with. You only need to provide your ID card number, cell phone number, micro-signal, shopping platform account, and email.
Student C: Are you sure it won't have any effect on me?
Swindler: Don't worry, it won't.
Student C: Okay, ID number 370033081320084455 (really read it out), cell phone number is 1 .....
Swindler: (interrupting) This ID number you provided is not accurate, right? We can't find it here. Our machine is associated with the public security side, so only real and accurate information can be.
Student C: (hesitated) (provided a real ID number .....) 370304081320084512 (really read it out).
Swindler: Okay, thanks. Our process is very simple. I will send you a two-dimensional code on WeChat, and you carry out scanning, and then shop for a commodity on it every day. After ordering and receiving the goods, you can return to the picture and write a favorable review to receive our bonus.
Scene 4 - Student B at home
(Student B doing homework, CS, suddenly receives a phone call)
Swindler: Hello, are you B?
Student B: Yes, and you are?
Swindler: Congratulations you have won the lottery! The prize is very generous this time, we need some information from you to confirm your identity and you can claim your prize.
Student B: Really? That's great! What information do you need from me?
Swindler: We just need your ID number and bank card number so that we can transfer the prize money to you directly.
Student B: Okay, the ID number is 370304081420071245, the bank card number is ......
Swindler: (interrupting Student B) Thank you very much for your cooperation, we will handle your prize collection immediately. You will receive a confirmation message later.
(The Swindler hangs up impatiently)
Scene 5 - School Classroom
(Student C's cell phone suddenly receives calls from several unfamiliar numbers, and the cell serviceis unusually unstable.)
(After school, Student C is alone in the classroom SR, trying to contact his parents to pick him up)
Student C: Why is the cell phone signal so bad these days? And so many strange calls.
School Teacher: (ENT SL enters the classroom with a bag to check and finds C) Eh, C, you haven't gone home yet?
Student C: Not yet, I'm trying to call my parents, but it keeps showing anomalies.
School teacher: C, have you done anything unusual recently? For example, have you provided personal information to strangers?
Student C: Well ...... I scanned a QR code earlier and then bought something on a website and wrote a favorable review.
Teacher: This is likely to be telecom fraud. We have to call the police immediately and contact the bank to freeze the account to avoid further losses, come with me.
(Teacher leaves the scene with Student C)
Scene 6 - Student B's home
Parent of Student B: B, did you use my bank card indiscriminately? Why is there suddenly an expenditure of three thousand five hundred dollars?
Student B: Ah, no.
Student B's Parent: Did you enter my bank card information on some unfamiliar website?
Student B: I... (recalls) Some time ago someone called me and told me that I had won a lottery, so I provided your bank card number.
Student B's parent: It looks like a scam.
Student B: Fraud? (Unbelievable)
Parent of Student B: Yes, according to Article 266 of the Criminal Law, fraud (crime) refers to “the act of obtaining public or private property of a large amount by means of fictitious facts or concealment of the truth for the purpose of unlawful appropriation”. From now on, don't trust strange phone calls, and inform me of anything involving money, got it? (Educational tone)
Student B: Well, but what do we do now?
Parent of Student B: We first keep all the evidence related to the scam, including the communication records, transfer vouchers and transaction records of the people involved. Then call the local public security authorities to report the case. Provide detailed information on the circumstances of the scam, the scamming methods and the people involved.
Scene 7 - School Classroom
Teacher: (CS) Students, recently many of our students have experienced something unpleasant.
(Student C lowers his head and looks remorseful. Student B, on the other hand, looks a little anxious and looks at the teacher from time to time)
Don't be afraid or feel ashamed, everyone. Fraud is a very cunning means of committing crimes, and we need to be more alert, protect our personal information, and be wary of all websites, phone calls, etc. that actively ask for private information. According to Article 266 of the Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China, if the amount of fraudulent public or private property is relatively large, the person shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention or control, and or a single fine; if the amount is huge or there are other serious circumstances, the person shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years and not more than ten years, and shall be punished by fines; if the amount is particularly huge or there are other particularly serious circumstances, the person shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than ten years or life imprisonment, and shall be The amount is particularly large or there are other particularly serious circumstances, the penalty shall be more than ten years' imprisonment or life imprisonment, and a fine or confiscation of property.
Teacher: (Smiling) Remember, students, life is the result of our joint efforts, don't fall into the traps of those lawless people because of momentary greed or impulse. Each of us can be the best protector of ourselves and others. Please feel free to ask me, your parents, and the police for help with any questions or difficulties.
Scene 8 - School Playground
(Student A is listening to her favorite singer Fa Datong’s new song on the playground SL, suddenly the cell phone video call rings, runs to his book bag SR, takes out his cell phone and answers the call.)
Fang Datong: Hello, I'm Fang Datong, a famous Chinese pop singer, give me 500 RMB, I can have a dinner with you.
End Scene