A controversial Chinese influencer known as Ququ Big Woman is making headlines again—not for her eyebrow-raising relationship advice, but for being slapped with a massive fine of 7.58 million yuan (roughly US$1.1 million) for alleged tax evasion.
The influencer, whose real name is Le Chuanqu, gained notoriety for offering bold online lessons on how to date wealthy men, dubbing herself the “McKinsey of relationships.” With an empire reportedly earning her up to 142 million yuan (around US$20 million) annually, Le sold pricey online courses and private coaching sessions teaching women how to turn romance into financial gain.
Authorities in Shanghai uncovered discrepancies in her declared income, revealing she reported only 600,000 yuan (about US$82,000) over two years—far below her actual earnings. Advanced data analysis helped tax officials flag her case, ultimately leading to the hefty penalty, which includes back taxes, fines, and late fees.
Despite public backlash and previous criticism from state media for promoting questionable values around love and wealth, Le had continued her operations, even raising the price of membership in her private “Girlfriends Alliance” group to nearly 200,000 yuan (US$28,000).
Le has since expressed regret and pledged to comply with tax laws moving forward. Online, reactions have been mixed—some are calling for jail time, while others debate the morality of turning dating into a business model.
One netizen summed it up: “It’s about time influencers are held accountable.”
