[4] Compiled from: Red Star News
 
Case review
According to a tip-off, WeChat mini-program "Yilian Purchase Online Mall" pre-sold iPhone 14 at a price 500 yuan lower than the official retail price, and after two months, it allegedly absconded with tens of millions of yuan, leaving behind an arrogant statement. The statement, signed by Youle Purchase and Yilian Purchase, includes phrases like "We're running away, sorry." A reporter inquired with "Youle Purchase" customer service, who responded: "We are not the same company as the one rumored online; someone is riding on our name to smear us; we haven't run away." Currently, Yilian Purchase Online Mall can no longer be found on WeChat.

 
 

The most unacceptable part of the whole incident is that the alleged notice from Yilian Purchase admitting to the scam uses extremely arrogant language, conveying a sense of consumers paying a "stupidity tax" and Yilian Purchase teaching them a lesson, showing off and shamelessness.

Currently, the authenticity of the notice cannot be verified, but it is reported that after relevant market regulatory authorities arrived at the scene, they could not find the company at the registered address, and an investigation is ongoing. On the Black Cat complaint platform, starting from September 13, consumers have been filing complaints against "Yilian Purchase," all citing non-delivery, no refunds, and inability to contact customer service after paying for iPhone 14 purchases, with amounts ranging from 5,000 to over 60,000 yuan.

 
 

 
"Criminal Law of the People's Republic of China"
Article 266 [Fraud Crime]
Whoever defrauds public or private property, if the amount is relatively large, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than three years, criminal detention, or public surveillance, and shall also, or shall only, be fined; if the amount is huge or there are other serious circumstances, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than three years but not more than ten years, and shall also be fined; if the amount is especially huge or there are other especially serious circumstances, shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not less than ten years or life imprisonment, and shall also be fined or have property confiscated. Where this Law otherwise provides, such provisions shall prevail.

 
 

 
[1] The author's perspective
Since the release of the iPhone 14, it has been a hot commodity, even selling at a premium of thousands of yuan, indicating no shortage of buyers. In such a seller's market, how could it be sold below market price? Such behavior deviating from market value laws is mostly a trap. These unscrupulous merchants, riding the iPhone 14 sales wave, exploit people's tendency to seek small gains, using pre-sales to collect money, and once their target is met, they immediately flee with the funds. For ordinary consumers, online recovery is difficult, and many can only swallow their grievances.
 
Such incidents are not uncommon, ultimately stemming from believing in the "pie in the sky" scenario. This shows that consumers should carefully assess the reliability of platforms and merchants when choosing them, enhancing safety from the source. Additionally, platforms should strictly screen merchants, take timely measures against obviously unreasonable transactions, and intercept them when necessary to reduce the chances of consumers being deceived.