You Can Now Pretend to Be Crazy Rich for as Little as $1
By Carl Samson
Being “rich” just got way less expensive in China.
A number of online services are now reportedly offering stock, first-person videos that flaunt wealth, which people can buy to post as their own on social media.
These clips, which can be customized with the customer’s voice after purchase, include flaunting supercars, real estate, luxury products, exotic pets and wads of cash, to name a few.
Such services are available on Taobao and WeChat for as low as 6 yuan ($0.90), according to Pear Video.
The trend capitalizes on the so-called “zhuangbi,” a slang term referring to pretentious people.
“With 700 videos to choose from, I can fake it for many months and years,” an anonymous customer wrote in a review, according to the South China Morning Post.
One merchant called “Show-Off Video Dubbing Productions” has a library of more than 2,000 videos, all ready for customization.
Speaking to Sixth Tone, a representative for the merchant claimed that the business generates 10,000 yuan to 20,000 yuan ($1,490 to $2,980) a month, with footage of luxury cars being the most popular.
Some merchants take it to the next level with offers of fake vacation experiences, including a full English breakfast at a five-star hotel, a beach getaway in Phuket, and a hike on the famous Jade Dragon Snow Mountain in Yunnan.
It’s unclear when exactly such services came to existence, but some claimed that they have already been around for roughly five years.
The new trend brings to mind what was dubbed as the “Falling Stars” challenge, in which people shot photos of themselves “tripping” from or “spilling” expensive items.
Weibo users commented:
“Developing the National Lying Industry.”
“Finally, I have the chance to get rich.”
“Taobao is really a magical website.”
“Just more stories of a liar and a group of fools.”
“How much does it cost to land on the moon?”
Images via Pear Video
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