A cautionary tale of Internet times

It spread across the country in a farcical manner three years ago and has now come to a disturbing end.

The detention of Guo Meimei was bound to draw attention after the stir the young woman caused in 2011 by ostentatiously flaunting her lavish lifestyle while claiming to be a commercial manager for the Red Cross Society of China.

Police in Dongcheng district of Beijing have announced that Guo is facing charges including gambling and prostitution, and the heavily veiled cover over the 2011 incident has now been lifted and the truth has finally emerged.