A Chinese influencer scammed an elderly woman of Rs.62 lakhs by pretending to be her son. The man, sentenced to 10.5 years in prison, exploited the victim’s loneliness through emotional manipulation.
A shocking case in China has highlighted the vulnerability of elderly internet users after an influencer scammed an unmarried and childless woman in her 70s, surnamed Tang, of 560,000 yuan (Rs.62.32 lakhs). The perpetrator, identified as Mao, exploited the woman’s loneliness by pretending to be her son and weaving fabricated emotional stories to gain her trust.
How the Scam Unfolded
Mao, a livestreamer with 42,000 followers, first gained Tang’s trust through his live streams in 2021. Presenting himself as a do-gooder who helped peasants sell their products, Mao convinced Tang to send small gifts initially. Over time, he began calling her “mum,” greeting her daily like a devoted son.
Mao escalated his manipulation by borrowing money under false pretenses, claiming to have stomach cancer, a girlfriend needing an abortion, and a father battling a serious illness. Tang, emotionally moved, not only sent her savings but also borrowed money to help Mao.
Family Intervention and Police Action
Tang’s niece, Jiang, discovered the scam in 2022 when she noticed large sums of money being transferred to Mao. Despite being confronted, Tang resisted involving the police, even threatening to harm herself. However, after Mao’s messages became sporadic and he accused her of mistrust, Tang grew suspicious.
In late 2023, Tang finally reported the case to the police. Investigators found that Mao used four fake identities to communicate with her. A photo of Mao’s car registration plate, taken by Tang during a visit, helped authorities trace and arrest him.
Legal Consequences
Mao was charged with defrauding Tang and sentenced to 10.5 years in prison, along with a fine of 100,000 yuan (approximately Rs.11.14 lakhs). The court imposed a harsher sentence due to Mao targeting an elderly victim.
The Aftermath for Tang
Tang, who lives alone on a 4,000-yuan (Rs.45,000) monthly pension, now owes 70,000 yuan (₹7.8 lakhs) in borrowed money and repays 3,000 yuan (Rs.33,500) monthly. Ashamed of being deceived, she rejected judicial assistance and reportedly lost 10 kilograms in six months due to stress.
A Broader Concern
This case has sparked debates about the emotional vulnerabilities of elderly internet users. Reports indicate that many Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) invent fake stories to exploit lonely seniors. With 1.1 billion internet users in China, 20.8% aged 60 and older, the issue is gaining national attention.
Lessons and Warnings
Judge Yu Huohai emphasized the importance of this case as a cautionary tale for seniors and younger generations to stay vigilant about online scams. The incident also called for stricter supervision of influencers on digital platforms and greater attention to the mental health of elderly family members.
As one online observer noted, “The platforms must enhance oversight of their KOLs, and we should all pay more attention to our parents’ emotional needs.”
