China’s ‘most beautiful fugitive’ suspended from social media for posting anti-fraud videos
A former prisoner once referred to as "China's most beautiful fugitive," has been suspended from social media after attracting attention for her anti-fraud live-streams.
Qing Chenjingliang, once referred to as “China‘s most beautiful fugitive,” has had her social media account removed after her live-streamed attempts to teach viewers about fraud prevention sparked mass debate, the South China Morning Post reports.
The 26-year-old woman from Mianyang, Sichuan, first gained notice in 2018 when police released a wanted notice after she was implicated in a large-scale online fraud plan. Prior to her arrest, Qing had been kicked out of secondary school for poor academic performance. She then joined a 10-member fraud syndicate, said to be at the behest of her boyfriend.
The gang’s modus operandi was to pretend to be bar staff and engage in false conversations with targets on the internet. Victims were tricked into spending large sums of money, usually through pretenses of false emotional relationships or friendship. Those who did not comply were threatened or physically coerced to pay.
Qing‘s dramatic appearance resulted in Chinese social media being flooded with attention during the police manhunt period, eclipsing the gravity of the case.
In November 2018, police put up wanted posters for Qing and others who were part of the scam. Her arrest made headlines across the country not for the offense but due to her good looks, which soon gave her the nickname “China‘s most beautiful fugitive.” The case of fraud was estimated to be worth over 1.4 million yuan (over ₹1.58 crore).
Surrendered and sentenced
Qing later capitulated and was given one year and two months in jail. While she was in prison, she supposedly underwent ideological re-education, legal education, and participated in labor reform. One of her former classmates said that she was “cheerful, lively, and kind,” and was surprised that she had resorted to crime.
Following her release in November 2021, Qing set up a bubble tea cafe and featured in a police anti-fraud video, which created a mixed reaction. While it was seen as a move to show she was rehabilitated, others condemned the action, accusing it of indicating “beauty equals justice.”
In March of this year, Qing again made headlines by opening a social media platform account in her full name, using her 2018 wanted poster as her profile photo. Her description was: “I was a headline figure in 2018 news. Now I have turned over a new leaf.” She started live streaming twice a day, posting legal news and anti-fraud advice.
I wish to start anew and teach common people not to be duped,” she explained to her audience, reminding them frequently about her previous history. Qing encouraged followers to donate virtual gifts for more information about her previous cons and life behind bars.
She often reiterated she had served out her sentence fully, adding, “Getting a sentence reduction is very difficult.” Asked about inmate celebrities, she replied male and female inmates were separated and she hadn‘t bothered with such stuff. In the latest video posted, Qing gave a warning concerning bar scams as follows: “Do not believe in something for nothing.”
But on April 27, Qing‘s social media life came to a sudden end. She was suspended, her videos removed, and her name made impossible to search for on the platform. The company later issued a statement stating that it does not allow content that profits from or sensationalizes criminal or prison life for profit or attention.
Qing has yet to respond publicly to the ban. The event has evoked mass commentary on Chinese social media, with the hashtags linked to the topic garnering over 54 million views, as reported by the outlet.
People are still polarized. “Qing has done her time. Turning live-streamer is her rightful prerogative. A prodigal who comes back is worth more than gold,” a user wrote. Others, however, were negative in their criticism of her method. She prides herself as being the ‘most beautiful fugitive‘. Such an attitude is fundamentally warped,” posted one. Another posted, “We are not against ex-prisoners living their lives over again and going back to society, but in humility and strong sense of justice.
