China bans fake ‘Middle Eastern princess’ influencers
Several influencers in China have faced bans on mainland social media platforms after posing as “Middle Eastern princesses” to promote low-quality products, claiming to sell luxury items while dressed in extravagant outfits and accompanied by actors posing as Arab royals. Luo Jialin, a popular Douyin influencer, claimed to be married to a Saudi prince and marketed products like ‘French perfume’ and ‘British royal laundry detergent’ at very low prices, sparking skepticism among viewers. Other influencers followed similar tactics, selling discounted goods while claiming to liquidate assets. The products were quickly flagged as scams, and the influencers’ accounts were banned. This phenomenon has sparked discussions about exploitation and deception, with some criticizing influencers for targeting fans’ admiration of wealth. Authentic influencers married to Middle Eastern individuals have also spoken out, noting that real royals tend to be more discreet and do not engage in such online marketing.