A truck driver in Shanghai, identified as Liu, was trying to gain weight but instead lost 6.5 kilograms after buying supplements from a social media influencer who claimed they would help him bulk up. Liu, who is 1.78 meters tall and weighed 63 kilograms, said he had long felt too thin and contacted the influencer, Chen, after seeing her online in March promoting health products and plant-based supplements for weight gain.
According to Liu, Chen promised that her products would balance digestion, cause no side effects, and significantly improve overall health. In a livestream, she allegedly claimed that after one month clients could see a 42 percent improvement in overall health and a 76 percent increase in heavy-metal elimination, though the report said it was unclear how those figures were calculated. Chen also asked Liu to send a photo of his tongue, then told him he had both strong internal heat and a cold body, and built him a personalized plan.
Liu first paid 4,000 yuan, about 1,720 shekels, for powders and health supplements, then after he developed dizziness, nausea, constant gas and frequent nighttime urination, Chen allegedly told him this was a normal detox process and persuaded him to buy more products for another 6,000 yuan, about 2,580 shekels. In total, he spent 10,000 yuan, about 4,300 shekels, and within a month had lost 6.5 kilograms instead of gaining weight.
At the end of April, after his condition worsened, Liu was hospitalized and diagnosed with chronic gastritis. Doctors reviewed the products and, according to the report, found they were mainly probiotics and dietary fiber. They warned that excessive use can disrupt digestion and likely contributed to his weight loss and decline. Even after a month of treatment, Liu said he was still losing weight.
Liu has filed a complaint with the health supervision office in Songjiang district, Shanghai, accusing Chen of practicing medicine without authorization. Authorities are now checking whether she has the medical license or qualifications needed to make diagnoses and sell products this way.
