EFL in China is plagued by corruption and unfairness that adversely affects many FT's! Not only are there corrupt recruiters, but also corrupt employers. As for SAFEA contracts, it seems that when employers break them, there is little likelihood of fair play practised and swift decisions made by the adjudication panel that sits in Beijing. Perhaps only if you've a cast-iron case will there be justice, but by the time you get it, you'll probably have been messed about, and had to exit the country!
As you state, trusting and ill-informed newbies are easy meat. But to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Western norms just don't apply here! Reading the board regularly is an excellent way to obtain the knowledge we require to prevent ourselves being taken for a ride here!