Chinese influencer with $14M in monthly sales disappears after alleged US$10 beauty product scam

The move came after media reports revealed Duolan, self-described as the president of a cosmetics company, sold two bottles of face cream at the price of CNY69.9 yuan (US$10), which she claimed was a discount from the original price tag of CNY3,999 per bottle, according to South China Morning Post.

But the actual cost of the bottle was less than CNY20 per bottle, according to an independent investigation by local newspaper Lanjing Newswhich added that the product was made by a factory in Guangdong province, not from Australia as she claimed. Duolan’s social media accounts have since disappeared.

She drew attention after recording sales of CNY100 million yuan in January through products under the little-known Yizilan brand.

Yizilan ranked 21st among facial care and make-up products sold across social media platforms, according to data analytics firm Chanmama.

Duolan mainly targets older female customers. More than 80% of Duolan’s three million followers are women, with 70% identified as middle-aged or older.

In addition to live-streaming and online shops, she also directed followers to internet chat groups to purchase her products.

The 47-year-old has been dubbed her fans’ “electric daughter,” as her videos portray her as a compassionate businesswoman who demonstrates respect to the elders and supports vulnerable groups.

In one video, she was seen helping a delivery rider penalized for being late after assisting an elderly man who had collapsed on the road.

In another, she supported an employee criticized by her manager for requesting extended leave to care for her sick mother.

These videos contributed to her commercial success and helped her build an online persona. Duolan also refers to her customers as “Godmothers,” highlighting a personal relationship with them.

Duolan’s videos. Screenshot from Duolan’s social media account

Her earnings from a live-streaming session on the evening of March 10 were estimated at between CNY500,000 and CNY750,000, the highest for cosmetic and personal care products that day.

One of her key offerings, Queen Face Cream, was described by Duolan as a gift brought from Australia by her daughter.

She claimed to have imported the cream and chose to sell two bottles for CNY69.9 despite stating its original price was CNY3,999 per bottle.

Footage showed her insisting on the low price despite her mother’s attempts to dissuade her, prompting many viewers to place orders.

The Lanjing News report, published on March 12, quickly gained traction across mainland social media. It remains unclear whether she has faced any penalties from police or other authorities. The incident has triggered widespread online debate.

“Use your brain to think for several seconds and you will know they are fake. I do not understand why so many people trusted her,” said one online observer.

Another commented: “I think we should pay attention to why these aunties easily become the victim of her scam: they hunger for care from their children.”