Police ： Influencer Faked Suicide in Chengdu

Photo: Screenshot from the WeChat account of the Jinjiang district branch of Chengdu public security bureau

Police in Chengdu, Southwest China's Sichuan Province issued on Tuesday a notice stating that the reported suicide of a female internet influencer with over 1 million followers — allegedly following blackmail — was in fact a staged performance based on a script she wrote herself.

Local police have launched an official investigation into the case, said the notice released by the Jinjiang district branch of Chengdu public security bureau.

According to the notice, a post on her social media account claimed that the influencer died by suicide in Chengdu at 11 pm on Saturday and her account had been handed over to her friends and relatives.

Comments in the tone of her relative posted under the social media account said that the influencer was driven to take her own life after being blackmailed for 1.3 million yuan ($180,801).

The incident quickly drew widespread public concern.

The Jinjiang police branch gave the case high priority and launched a verification process. On Sunday, officers confirmed via phone and video calls that the 18-year-old blogger, surnamed Sun, from Wuhu in East China's Anhui Province, had not taken her own life, according to the notice.

In response to public concern and to ensure her personal safety, police officers traveled to another province on Monday to meet her in person and begin a formal investigation.

Police authorities have determined that Sun, acting on impulse, deliberately fabricated false information about "committing suicide" and posted it online. She also impersonated a friend or relative in the comment section to further stage the incident, causing a negative social impact. Her actions are suspected of fabricating facts and disrupting public order, and public security authorities have officially opened a case for investigation in accordance with the law, the notice said.

Regarding Sun's claims in the comment section about being "extorted," she said that she had been slandered and insulted by internet users. However, Sun did not transfer any funds, blocked and deleted the individuals involved, and did not report the incident to police, according to the notice.

Public security authorities are continuing to verify the relevant details, it said.

Source:https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1333925.shtml