China influencer exposed over fake US$150,000 flood gift; Red Cross finds only 15-cent offers

A Chinese influencer faced widespread criticism after a purported donation of 1 million yuan (US$150,000) to flood relief efforts was allegedly revealed as fabricated.Since July, typhoon-induced torrential rains have ravaged the Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region in southern China, resulting in the deaths of 159 people, according to local reports.On September 7, internet users accused a RedNote influencer known as Anlan of fabricating a donation record for flood relief in Guangxi, sharing screenshots of the alleged receipt across comment sections.Anlan, whose gender and true identity remain undisclosed, posted an image claiming to show a 1 million-yuan donation to the Guangxi Red Cross on July 17, accompanied by a caption: “Offering a humble contribution to post-disaster reconstruction.”The post quickly went viral, garnering thousands of likes and commendation from internet users who celebrated Anlan’s “act of kindness.” The account amassed more than 31,000 followers within days.A receipt posted online by Anlan purported to show a 1 million-yuan donation to the Guangxi Red Cross on July 17, accompanied by the caption: “Offering a humble contribution to post-disaster reconstruction.” Photo: chengdu.cnThe SCMP contacted the Guangxi Red Cross, which stated that it had not received any single personal donation of 1 million yuan on July 17.However, the organisation’s records indicated several one-yuan (15 US cents) donations on that day. One donor’s first name matched the name shown in Anlan’s screenshot, but the bank account details did not align with those publicly disclosed by Anlan. They could not confirm whether Anlan was responsible for any of the one-yuan donations.The Red Cross further clarified that all donation records were publicly accessible on its official website.The social media platform subsequently suspended Anlan’s account. As of publication, Anlan had not responded to SCMP’s requests for comment.The photo above shows disaster relief work in progress to distribute essential supplies to those in need. Photo: HandoutThe Guangxi Red Cross informed the SCMP that it was continuing to monitor the situation and had no additional remarks at that time.Legal experts cautioned that fabricating donation records or falsely claiming charitable contributions could result in legal repercussions.Ma Junzhe, a lawyer at Guangdong Zheqing Law Firm, pointed out that public donation pledges may incur legal obligations and could be enforceable through legal action.Similar cases have surfaced in the past. In 2023, Chinese entrepreneur Wu You was sued by his alma mater for failing to fulfil an 11 million yuan donation pledge to its foundation. Wu was later classified as a dishonest debtor and faced restrictions on high-value spending.The recent floods in Guangxi are widespread and severe, caused by back-to-back typhoons that forced the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents. Photo: XinhuaLawyer Ma added that if Anlan’s actions are found to have exploited a public welfare event for self-promotion or involved falsifying donation documents bearing official seals, police could impose administrative penalties, including fines and possible detention.Online reactions highlighted concerns regarding the broader implications for public trust. One observer warned that such incidents might foster scepticism towards authentic charitable initiatives.Further Reading“Society should raise the cost of fraud. Merely banning an account is insufficient; Anlan should face consequences,” wrote one internet user.“I am still a student, and my only income comes from tutoring, yet I donate 50 yuan every month to a rural children’s fund. True kindness does not require display,” expressed another user.