Man Could Serve 3 Years in Prison for Scheming to Cheat Streamer Giveaways

A man in Jiangsu, China, was apprehended after creating an elaborate scheme involving 400 different accounts to boost his chances of winning giveaways hosted by a popular streamer. His operation, which took place in his garage, triggered suspicion from a neighbor, leading to his arrest.

The individual, identified as Ma, utilized multiple cell phones to engage simultaneously with a single live streaming event, hoping to secure as many “lucky bags”as possible. Each lucky bag, filled with items determined by the streamer, was distributed to viewers at the push of a button, greatly increasing Ma’s odds of winning.

Monthly Earnings of Up to $2,800

During the time of his capture, reports indicated that Ma was making substantial profits—up to $2,800 each month—from his fraudulent activities. Among the items he won were printers, basic household necessities, and even iPhones, which he subsequently sold for profit.

Ma’s operation crossed legal boundaries when he intentionally failed to insert SIM cards into the phones he used. According to local law, authentic registration on Chinese social media platforms mandates the use of SIM cards. Instead, he opted to acquire pre-existing accounts from individuals online, relying on their personal data.

Ma faces up to three years in prison as well as a fine for his scam. — Unsplash: Erik Mclean

As a result of his actions, Ma is facing the possibility of three years in prison and substantial fines.

Furthermore, the incident raised concerns regarding the unauthorized use of personal information, prompting charges against Ma for infringing upon the privacy rights of others, as the accounts he acquired contained significant personal details.

This case is not isolated; in December, another arrest was made in China involving a man who exploited his young daughter as part of a similar operation. The man, who boasted 400,000 followers on social media, falsely claimed to be a food delivery driver while soliciting tips by spinning a tale of abandonment involving his child’s mother.

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