A 29-year-old cancer patient in China, who raised nearly $97,000 (700,000 yuan) in a crowdfunding campaign for his medical treatment, is now under investigation for possible embezzlement after he shared photos of a newly bought flat. The man, surnamed Lan, sparked outrage and disbelief among his donors after revealing his new property purchase just days after collecting the funds.
How the Scam Unfolded
Lan, diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma—a rare form of cancer—began his online fundraising on October 14, aiming to raise 900,000 yuan (around $125,000) for his medical expenses. The campaign gained rapid traction, bringing in more than 700,000 yuan in just a few days, mostly through the popular crowdfunding platform. But on November 6, the situation took a turn when Lan posted photos of a newly purchased flat worth 738,000 yuan in a group chat.
He proudly announced, “This is my new home,” causing alarm among the contributors who had sent money with the expectation it would go towards his treatment. This revelation was followed by further discrepancies: a previous marriage advertisement revealed that Lan’s family already owned multiple properties worth over 4 million yuan and received substantial rental income, directly conflicting with his claims of financial struggle.
Suspicion Grows as Financial Transparency Comes into Question
In his crowdfunding profile, Lan listed only a single property valued between 300,000 and 500,000 yuan and claimed he was selling a car, which seemed inconsistent with the information shared elsewhere. The crowdfunding platform, upon seeing these red flags, swiftly suspended Lan’s campaign on November 7, by which point he had collected 278,204 yuan from 4,536 donors.
Lan later claimed that he had deposited 200,000 yuan of the donations into a fixed-term savings account, but this failed to alleviate concerns among donors. As a result, the platform took immediate action, recovering all the funds raised and issuing refunds to the donors.
What Happens Next?
This case raises serious concerns about transparency and trust in online fundraising, especially when the funds are meant for health-related emergencies. The rapid rise of digital crowdfunding platforms has given many the opportunity to seek financial assistance, but it has also exposed vulnerabilities that can be exploited by those with dishonest intentions.
The controversy surrounding Lan’s actions continues to unfold, with legal authorities now involved. For those who contributed to his campaign, the incident serves as a harsh reminder of the risks of charitable donations in the digital age.
A Cautionary Tale for Future Fundraisers
While crowdfunding can be a powerful tool for helping those in need, this case illustrates how critical it is for both donors and platforms to exercise caution and ensure financial transparency. Moving forward, more stringent checks and balances may be needed to ensure the legitimacy of online fundraising campaigns, especially when large sums of money are at stake.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story, as the truth behind Lan’s actions continues to unfold.