Online stores in China sell soil from outside of top banks for Rs 10,500, claim it brings wealth

Some online sellers have even been sharing videos of soil being dug up from the banks to prove its authenticity. (Representational image: Grok)

Online shops in China have apparently been selling "bank soil" dug up from outside major Chinese banks by advertising that it can bring wealth and good fortune to buyers. The trending product has been tagged at Rs 10,500 per portion.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the sellers collected the soil from outside of banks, potted plants in bank lobbies, and may even include dust from money counting machines.

One of the online sellers told the publication that he offers four types of soil that was collected from five major banks of the country: Bank of China, Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, Agricultural Bank of China, China Construction Bank, and Bank of Communications. The cheapest portion of his "bank soil" was priced at Rs 260.

“Another seller claimed that their soil has a “999.999 per cent success rate in generating wealth”.

Some online sellers have even been sharing videos of soil being dug up from the banks to prove its authenticity.

In one such video, a person standing at the entrance of a bank holding a container of soil was heard shouting to his client: “Boss Liu from Guangdong, your soil is ready.”

In another video, a man said, “Brother 0863 from Beijing, now I am digging your bank soil.” He then uses a spoon to scoop the soil before placing it on a small golden plate.

According to the Chinese regulations on urban landscaping, no one is allowed to destroy urban green spaces, including the digging of soil outside of banks, so many sellers choose to source their wares in the middle of the night.

The trend has sparked ridicule on Chinese social media.

“Laughing out loud, what is this bank soil? I work at a bank, and I have to bring my own soil from home to plant flowers in the office," SCMP quoted a user as saying. “I live next to a bank, so why has my fortune not improved?” asked another.