Former Idol Trainee Sentenced to 3 Years in Jail for Fraudulent Mask Sales

It’s been reported by Sina News that a former idol trainee in his 20s was sentenced to 3 years and 3 months in prison for the fraudulent sales of masks in light of the COVID-19 epidemic.

According to the reports, trainee Huang Zhibo of Yuehua Entertainment was fined 10,000 yuan (~$1400 USD) in addition to the prison sentence.

Huang Zhibo committed fraudulent acts such as posting false sales information regarding masks on his WeChat, taking advanced payments, and then not showing up to their meeting place for the official sale.

Through such methods, Huang Zhibo swindled 110,000 yuan (~$16,000 USD) and was arrested by the police on February 5 as a result.

In the trial, Huang Zhibo expressed his regret and explained that he did it under the pressure of not having a job.

I’m really sorry. I felt guilty so I wanted to give them their money back, but the account as blocked, so I couldn’t find them. I’m really sorry. I know I was wrong.

– Huang Zhibo

Huang Zhibo, who originally trained at a large entertainment company in Korea, later entered Yuehua Entertainment in China as a trainee, but following this incident, his contract with the agency has been terminated.