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A new controversy involving viral short videos has emerged, shedding light on deceptive practices that exploit public sympathy for profit. The latest scandal revolves around a series of videos featuring a frail-looking young woman struggling to carry large, seemingly heavy timber logs in a mountainous rural area. Her dirty clothes and pained expression, paired with captions about her difficult life, have moved many netizens to offer likes, comments, and even purchases from her livestream store.
However, keen-eyed viewers began noticing irregularities. Some pointed out that the logs appeared suspiciously similar across different videos, with certain logs making repeat appearances. Additionally, the sheer size of the timber - a type that would typically require two or three strong men to lift - made it implausible for the slim young woman to carry them alone.
Investigations by curious netizens revealed the shocking truth: the "timber" in these videos is hollow. Fabricated from lightweight wooden frames covered with bark and coated in mud to mimic the appearance of real logs, these props were created solely for the purpose of gaining attention and sympathy online. The goal? To drive traffic and boost sales during livestreams.
Many critics have likened this to outright fraud, labeling it a “low-class scam” that preys on the kindness and generosity of viewers. Genuine lumber workers, who know the weight and effort involved in hauling real timber, have called the videos absurd.
Adding to the skepticism is the lack of authenticity in the videos themselves. Observers noted how these content creators wore form-fitting jeans - unsuitable for hard labor - and used thin ropes to secure the logs. Unlike real lumber workers, who protect their shoulders with padded equipment, these performers seemed more concerned with appearances than practicality.
This is not the first time short videos and livestreams have been accused of exploiting public goodwill. In one widely criticized incident, a self-proclaimed philanthropist filmed himself donating 3,000 yuan to an elderly person in need, only to retrieve 2,800 yuan after the cameras stopped rolling. Similarly, children were reportedly paid small sums to act in scripted scenes, only for most of the money to be taken back after filming.
Another recurring tactic involves portraying villages as destitute to solicit donations of clothing and money. Yet investigations have revealed that many of these impoverished-looking households were staged for the camera, with recipients often living in newly built government-subsidized homes nearby. Donated items, instead of reaching those in need, were allegedly resold in second-hand markets.
Such deceptive practices are eroding trust in genuine charitable efforts. A notable example is the story of a young boy and his grandmother “selling pomegranates” by the roadside, which captured hearts nationwide. The account used their perceived hardship to launch a livestream sales campaign, claiming the proceeds would help their family. However, it was later revealed that the boy’s family never owned a pomegranate orchard, and the entire scenario had been fabricated.
