Chinese influencer earns Rs 66 crore selling 'wish candles' for luck and love, gets arrested for fraud

Chinese influencer arrested after earning millions selling ‘wish candles’ online. (AI-generated representative image)

In China, a new trend is taking hold among young people: wish candles. Promoted on social media as more than decorative items, these candles claim to bring luck, love, and success. Sellers present them as tools that can influence life in subtle and sometimes dramatic ways, drawing in buyers eager to see if the claims will actually work.

As reported by Hongxing News, one of the most famous sellers, Li Zhuofan, has now been arrested for allegedly defrauding her customers. Authorities say she earned more than 50 million yuan (nearly Rs 66 crore) by selling handmade candles and online fortune-telling courses.

As per South China Morning Post, Li became famous after appearing on the Russian reality show ‘The Battle of Psychics’. On the show, she used a candle to “locate” a person hidden in a car boot and claimed she could sense that someone had once died in another vehicle. After returning to China, she started selling handmade ‘wish candles’ online.

Her candles were decorated with crystals, dried flowers, and essential oils. Li said different blends had different powers, from attracting wealth or improving careers to helping someone get back with a former partner. Prices started at 2,888 yuan (about Rs 38,000), and a premium “triple luck” candle cost up to 7,888 yuan (over Rs 1 lakh).

Li also hired a team to make videos that strengthened her image as a psychic. She sold online fortune-telling courses alongside the candles, teaching customers how to interpret spiritual signs and use them in daily life.

Some buyers spent large amounts. One customer paid 5,888 yuan (Rs 78,000) for a candle meant to attract more customers to their shop. When nothing changed, the person reported the case to the police, leading to an investigation.

Li was arrested on fraud charges. Prosecutors say she earned more than 50 million yuan (nearly Rs 66 crore) through sales of the candles and courses. As per reports, under Chinese law, fraud involving such a large sum can lead to more than ten years in prison, along with fines and confiscation of property.

Even after her arrest, wish candle posts and shopping links continued online. Some influencers advised buyers to watch how long a candle burns or how the flame moves, claiming this could reveal if a partner was cheating.

This is part of a wider trend in China’s metaphysical market, which includes crystals, tarot readings, and other spiritual products. Many young people under pressure from work and studies are drawn to these items. Sellers use live-streaming, social media, and even AI to reach more customers.