A beauty clinic in China allegedly manipulated a 19-year-old mentally disabled boy into undergoing breast enlargement surgery. The boy, who has the mental capacity of a five-year-old, was duped into believing that the procedure would enhance his income through live-streaming, a burgeoning industry in the country.
The boy's mother, identified only by her surname Lu, revealed the harrowing details of her son's ordeal. "When our family heard about this, we were absolutely shocked. It was like the sky was falling. He’s only 19 years old," she told South China Morning Post.
According to Lu, her son had initially approached the clinic seeking employment. However, staff at the clinic convinced him that undergoing breast enlargement surgery would significantly boost his earnings as a live-streamer. Conversations on WeChat, later exposed by Lu, showed that the clinic promised her son a job with "full board and a monthly salary of 3,000 yuan (Rs 35,000)" after he recovered from the surgery.
When the boy expressed doubts about the procedure, noting that "cosmetic procedures are usually for women," and mentioned his inability to afford the surgery, the clinic staff reassured him. They told him it was "OK for men" and persuaded him to take out a loan, which they claimed he could repay with his future live-streaming income.
The boy eventually took out a loan of 30,000 yuan (Rs 3.53 lakh) and an additional 7,000 yuan (Rs 84,000) to cover the costs.
"The surgery made my son’s chest a B-cup, with two long scars underneath. Seeing those scars breaks my heart," Lu said, describing the physical and emotional toll the procedure has taken on her son.
After numerous negotiations, the implants were removed. Lu shared medical reports indicating that her son suffers from intellectual disabilities, depression, anxiety, and sleep disorders.
Lu has brought the matter to the attention of the Chinese media and the incident sparked an outrage among social media users who condemned the clinic and its actions.
The case is being investigated.
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
