Rs 65 Crore ‘Love And Wealth’ Scam? Influencer Arrested For Selling High-Priced ‘Wish Candles’

Last Updated:February 28, 2026, 13:50 IST

The candles were decorated with crystals and dried flowers and infused with essential oils.

A Chinese influencer has been arrested after allegedly earning more than 50 million yuan by selling expensive “wish candles” that promised to fix love lives, improve careers and attract wealth.

According to a report in South China Morning Post (SCMP), the woman was identified as Li Zhuofan who had built a strong online following by presenting herself as a psychic. Her case has now sparked debate about China’s fast-growing “metaphysical economy” where young consumers are spending heavily on spiritual products.

Chinese Psychic Arrested For Selling ‘Wish Candles’

Li Zhuofan first gained attention after appearing on the Russian reality show The Battle of Psychics. During the programme, she used a candle to “locate” a person hidden inside a car boot and claimed she could sense that someone had once died in another vehicle. The appearance helped her attract more than six lakh followers on mainland social media.

After returning to China, she began selling handmade wish candles online. The candles were decorated with crystals and dried flowers and infused with essential oils. Different versions were marketed with different “powers.” Some were promoted as tools to boost careers and wealth while others claimed to help an ex-partner return.

The pricing was high. As per the report, basic candles started at 2,888 yuan (approximately Rs 37,989) while a “triple luck” edition cost up to 7,888 yuan (around Rs 1.03 lakh). Li also hired a team to create promotional videos to strengthen her psychic image and sold online fortune-telling courses alongside the candles.

The report mentioned that one customer paid 5,888 yuan (over Rs 77,000) in a hope that the candle would bring more customers to their shop. When no improvement followed, the person reported the case to police.

Li was eventually arrested for fraud. The prosecutors allege that Li earned more than 50 million yuan (over Rs 65.7 crore) through candle sales and related courses. Under Chinese law, fraud involving an especially huge amount can lead to more than 10 years in prison along with fines and confiscation of property.

But even after news of the investigation surfaced, similar wish candle advertisements and shopping links reportedly continued.

Despite the arrest, many online users continued sharing their experiences with wish candles.

One user commented, “After I lit a love candle, my ex-boyfriend really started clinging to me. I could not shake him off.”

Others advised watching how long a candle burns or how the flame behaves. They claimed this could help them “judge” whether a partner is being unfaithful.

A Growing ‘Metaphysical Economy’ In China

The wish candle business is part of a broader rise in spiritual and metaphysical products in China. Items such as crystals, tarot readings and healing kits are increasingly being marketed to young people dealing with job pressure, exam stress and relationship anxiety.

Sellers are modernising traditional beliefs using live-streaming platforms, social media marketing and artificial intelligence tools.

In January, an AI-based fortune-telling system combined traditional Bazi astrology with stock market-style candlestick charts became popular online. Users enter their birth details and major life events and the tool produces a personalised chart which claims to be the map their life path.

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