From bling to bust: Social media stars suspended for excessive wealth displays

A wave of suspensions is sweeping across Chinese social media platforms, targeting influencers whose content revolves around excessive displays of wealth.

One prominent figure caught in the crackdown is "Wang Quan Hong Xing," a major influencer with over 4 million followers on Douyin, a popular short video platform. Wang's posts showcased a life of extravagance, featuring designer handbags, lavish jewelry collections, and frequent appearances at luxury brand events.

Both his Douyin account and his Sina Weibo microblog have been suspended for violating platform regulations. Additionally, he appears to have been removed from Xiaohongshu, another major social media platform.

Wang previously drew criticism for comments boasting about his eight-figure outfit costs and his preference for traveling with expensive jewelry. He attributed his extravagant lifestyle to feelings of insecurity. He also sparked controversy by claiming ownership of seven luxury homes in a Beijing community, including a vacant 991-square-meter mansion.

"Bao Yu Jie Jie," another influencer known for portraying the life of a wealthy socialite, is also facing suspension. Her Douyin account and her Xiaohongshu profile are reportedly inaccessible. Bao, known for flaunting her 2,000-square-meter mansion and leisurely strolls through her private gardens, had amassed over 2 million followers on Douyin.

A third influencer, "Bo Gong Zi," has been muted and restricted from gaining new followers on Douyin due to regulation violations. Additionally, his accounts on Weibo and Xiaohongshu appear to have been banned. Bo Gong Zi frequently presented himself surrounded by luxury goods, including designer clothing, exotic cars, and a particular fondness for the Hermes brand.

quanzhanfu@chinadaily.com.cn