Taobao shuts wellness livestream after fake miracle cure exposé
On.cc · 1 SOURCESabout 3 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Taobao shut down the wellness livestream “Jia You Lao Wang” on Wednesday after an exposé by The Paper alleged the channel used fake experts, scripted discount theatrics and misleading health claims to market solid drinks and dietary supplements as “miracle medicines.” The platform said it removed products, cleared replay videos and blocked the host account, while some related shops remained accessible for consumer rights claims.
Key Points
- The Paper reported on Wednesday, September 9, that “Jia You Lao Wang” packaged solid drinks and dietary supplements as treatments through fake experts and fake science content.
- The livestream featured hosts alongside supposed “doctors” and “experts” of doubtful identity, who invented medical concepts and stirred health anxiety to drive sales.
- According to the report, sellers used homophones and split disease names to imply products could treat blood clots, leukaemia and other illnesses.
- Repeatedly promoted goods were marketed as “imported from the United States,” but the report said no sales traces were found on overseas shopping platforms.
- The channel had 3.3 million followers, was named a 2024 top influencer in Taobao’s tonic segment, and logged over 390 million yuan in annual transactions.
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong consumers, the case is a reminder that products linked to Hong Kong companies or cross-border branding can still be part of misleading online health marketing. The platform’s decision to leave some shops visible for complaints also points to likely follow-up disputes over refunds and consumer redress.