Fake Princesses and Discounted Dreams: China's Influencer Scam Exposed

A wave of Chinese influencers posing as "Middle Eastern princesses" to sell cheap goods online has been shut down, sparking widespread discussion about deceptive marketing tactics. These influencers fabricated elaborate backstories, claiming marriages to wealthy Arab princes and using these fictional narratives to promote low-quality products at seemingly irresistible prices.

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One Douyin influencer, Luo Jialin, with 100,000 followers, showcased a lavish lifestyle, claiming her impending relocation to Saudi Arabia with her "prince" husband. She advertised a fire sale of assets, offering items like "French perfume" and "British royal laundry detergent" for under US$7. Skeptical viewers who questioned the sale of everyday items by supposed royalty were quickly silenced.

Another influencer, also claiming a divorce from her "Dubai prince," similarly liquidated assets through live streams, selling hundreds of pairs of stockings and laundry detergent at rock-bottom prices. Investigations revealed these influencers hired foreign actors to portray the "princes," further exposing the elaborate charade.

State media outlet China Youth Daily reported the subsequent ban of these fraudulent accounts and removal of the associated products. The Dubai Chinese community, DXBcom, clarified that no Arab royal family members had authorized any such sales in China.

This scandal has ignited debate on Chinese social media, with many users expressing outrage at the exploitation of fans' trust and admiration for wealth and status. One user shared a personal experience of purchasing a poor-quality perfume from a similar "princess" influencer, highlighting the scam's targeting of vulnerable individuals.

The incident has also brought attention to genuine Chinese influencers married to Middle Eastern individuals. One such KOL, "Saudi Rou Sister," who has built a successful perfume brand with her husband in Saudi Arabia, emphasized the discreet nature of true Middle Eastern nobility, contrasting it with the flamboyant online personas of the scammers. This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of consumer vigilance and the potential for deception in the influencer marketing landscape