I have similar case to report. I was approached by 3 students (1 male, 2 females) apparently on a break in Beijing. I must be very naive because they convinced me to one tea house and another bar (pretty much a tea house serving alcoholic beverages) and made me spend ridiculous amount of money. I was not very happy, but still not suspicious until I was approached by another student the next day and finally googled 'scam Beijing'.
Luckily I stayed in a great 5 star hotel and asked the reception for advice. The hotel manager himself (who asked not mention his hotel name to avoid retaliation) took immediately care of the situation. Called the police and went with us together as a translator to both places. Seeing police the staff was very scarred and willing to return as much as I requested. I did receive in cash 90% of the money that was charged to my Amex. The police caught in the very act another student scammer in the first place and 3 more in the second place. The whole thing turned into a big crack down with multiple police cars. The staff and the student scammers were interrogated in a police van as I left.
Justice does feel good. I feel better now than if I were not scammed at all. Especially since through the razzia we were able to save 3 other Europeans. I love China again. The only downside is that I ended up with cash worth $2000. Yes, I was that stupid to pay that much initially!