66-year-old woman spends Rs 2.4 crore shopping online, rents flat to store unopened packages

The sheer volume of goods has not only taken up the woman's living space, leaving her unable to find a place to sleep, but has also filled an underground garage she owns. (Representational image: Grok)

A 66-year-old woman in Shanghai has become a viral sensation on social media after it was revealed she has spent a staggering two million yuan (approximately Rs 2.4 crore) on online shopping, even resorting to renting an additional flat to house her mountain of unopened packages. The extraordinary behaviour of the woman, identified only as Wang, has ignited a heated discussion across the country regarding the mental well-being of senior citizens, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported.

Wang, who lives alone in a flat, has accumulated a vast collection of items from various online platforms over the past few years, according to a report by Kan Kan News. Her home has been transformed into a chaotic storage unit, with unopened packages piled high, often reaching the ceiling.

The extent of her hoarding has not gone unnoticed by her neighbours, who have voiced complaints about unpleasant odours emanating from her flat and the frequent presence of flies and cockroaches.

Wang openly admits to being addicted to online shopping, stating that the act of spending money brings her excitement. Her rationale for her massive expenditure was that it was a deliberate attempt to deter relatives and friends from borrowing money. "Years ago, I sold my flat in the downtown area and bought this house in the suburban Jiading district. It is easy for other people to conclude that there is a lot of money left in my pocket," Wang was quoted as saying. She added, "To prevent other people from borrowing money from me, I choose to spend it buying things. When they see piles of stuff in my home, they will feel it is inappropriate to ask me to lend them money."

Wang primarily shops during live-streaming sessions, with her purchases largely consisting of cosmetics, health supplements, and gold jewellery. The sheer volume of goods has not only consumed her living space, leaving her unable to find a place to sleep, but has also filled an underground garage she owns. Months ago, she took the drastic step of renting another flat specifically for storage.

A residential committee official revealed that Wang's daughter resides abroad, and her other relatives rarely visit. Despite the committee's efforts to contact her family in hopes of encouraging her to change her habits, their attempts have been unsuccessful. Last May, with Wang's permission, the residential committee organized a clean-up, but the hoarding behaviour unfortunately resumed shortly thereafter.

The case has drawn attention from mental health professionals. Shi Yanfeng, a Shanghai-based psychiatrist, noted that many patients suffering from hoarding disorder also contend with underlying conditions such as depression and social anxiety. Dr. Yan Feng of the Shanghai Mental Health Centre emphasized that treating hoarding disorder is a complex and long-term process, highlighting the need for sustained support for individuals like Wang.