A 24-year-old Chinese livestream shopping host is reportedly being held for a 600,000 yuan ransom, roughly $90,000, after traveling to Thailand. Her family fears she may have been taken across the border into Myanmar.
Wang Ran, originally from Harbin, had been working as a livestream sales host in Nanjing. She flew to Bangkok on September 12, according to her cousin.
The cousin said the family later received a demand for 600,000 yuan. During a video call, relatives saw Wang looking disoriented in a sparsely furnished room, but could not confirm where she was being held.
Family fears streamer was taken to Myanmar
According to World Journal, the family spoke with Wang over video twice. Her relatives said they saw a worn bunk bed and a window apparently covered with black plastic sheeting. They believe she may have been moved to a scam compound in Myanmar, though authorities have not confirmed her location.
The family said the people demanding the ransom set a September 20 deadline and threatened to sell Wang to a club inside a compound if they did not receive the money.
Wang’s father told The Beijing News that she called him after the first reports appeared. He said someone with her had seen the coverage and demanded the family raise the ransom quickly, threatening to harm her otherwise. The caller’s identity has not been confirmed.
This wouldn’t be the first time a streamer has been kidnapped, either. Earlier in 2026, a 15-year-old streamer was found dead in black trash bags after being kidnapped by armed men from a soccer pitch in Honduras.
In 2025, two people were arrested for attempted murder after kidnapping a Korean YouTuber over unpaid debt.
Wang’s father went to a police station in Nanjing on September 21 to report the case. Staff at the station confirmed to The Beijing News that the family had contacted police and said anti-fraud officers would get in touch with them.
It is unclear where the missing livestreamer is or whether any ransom has been paid. China’s livestream shopping scene has made headlines before, including judges who sold crabs to more than 200,000 viewers and a clothing seller who died during a broadcast after suffering a brainstem hemorrhage.
I’m Abhishek Sharma, an author at TigerJek.com. I enjoy exploring games, testing different strategies, and turning what I learn into clear, useful guides. My goal is to help players understand the game better and improve without the usual confusion.
