Tobias

A tech company employee, Li, exploited his position as account manager for a beer company’s marketing campaign to embezzle 6.5 million yuan ($900,000 USD). Li manipulated the system to generate fake winning QR codes, which he and his associates redeemed. The scheme, lasting over a year, was discovered after an audit revealed unusually high prize payouts. Li was found guilty of embezzlement and sentenced to six years in prison with a 100,000 yuan fine.

A couple in Chongqing was detained for posing as Meituan delivery drivers and running a street-level begging scam. They falsely claimed to need money for their son’s surgery. Meituan confirmed the man had briefly registered as a rider in 2019 but deactivated his account in 2023. He purchased a uniform online to exploit public sympathy. Meituan warned against impersonating riders and highlighted its support programs for legitimate riders, including financial assistance for critical illnesses.

Microsoft has joined the $4 Trillion Club, becoming the second company after Nvidia to reach this valuation. Shares surged 8% following a strong Fiscal Year 2025 Q4 earnings report. Microsoft reported a Q4 revenue of $76.44 billion, up 18% year-over-year, driven by AI-powered cloud services. Full-year revenue reached $281.724 billion, a 15% increase. Analysts are optimistic, with Morgan Stanley and JPMorgan Chase raising their price targets. Nvidia first achieved the $4 trillion milestone earlier in July.

Chinese consumers are increasingly criticizing restaurants for alleged “double standards,” using fresh ingredients for dine-in customers but cheaper, frozen substitutes for takeout orders. The Jiangsu Provincial Consumer Rights Protection Committee (JSCRPC) argues this differential treatment violates consumer rights to fair dealing and transparent information. Key concerns include ingredient quality discrepancies, smaller takeout portions, and inflated delivery prices. The JSCRPC emphasizes that consumers deserve consistent quality regardless of consumption method, and experts warn against exploiting informational asymmetry, raising issues of transparency and ethical practices in the food delivery sector.

Didi Chuxing has launched “Four-Wheel Errand,” a luggage transfer service utilizing its private car fleet. Aimed at easing travel burdens, the service facilitates seamless luggage transportation, targeting vacationing families and business travelers. Didi is partnering with InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG), piloting the service at over 300 Holiday Inn Express hotels in Shanghai, Beijing, and other cities, with plans to expand to other IHG brands and transportation hubs. This move expands Didi’s service offerings and caters to the tourism sector’s needs, offering a “travel light” experience.

In Anshan, China, a man’s unlocked Toyota was entered by three minors who stole the keys and subsequently his Mercedes-Benz. The abandoned Mercedes was recovered 100km away after running out of fuel. Two suspects, ages 13 and 14, have been apprehended. Due to their age, they may not face criminal charges, but the owner’s negligence in securing his vehicle could lead to partial liability. Insurance coverage is complicated by the owner’s negligence and legal limitations regarding minors’ responsibilities. The guardians may be responsible for compensation and care.

A LatePost report reveals an intense battle between Meituan and Taobao in China’s on-demand delivery sector, focusing on “lightning warehouses.” These online-only convenience stores offer rapid delivery of essential goods. The platforms are fiercely competing for key merchants, employing tactics such as pressuring them to adjust prices or limit rival platform operations. Merchants express concerns about platform dominance and data control, navigating the pressures of this competitive landscape. The future of this rivalry and merchants’ roles remain uncertain.

Two former SpaceX employees are suing the company, alleging safety concerns were ignored in favor of speed and cost, leading to their wrongful termination. One plaintiff, a former supervisor, claims he was fired after raising warnings about a potentially dangerous rocket recovery process. The lawsuit highlights instances of excessive work hours, unreported injuries, and a culture of prioritizing deadlines over safety. OSHA data reveals SpaceX’s Starbase facility has a higher injury rate than the aerospace manufacturing average. Another plaintiff alleges termination after workplace injuries.

After being missing for three days, Xiaoying, a 15-year-old with intellectual disabilities, was found in Dongguan, China, thanks to police, volunteers, and Douyin (TikTok). Police found her wandering alone and contacted the “Let Love Come Home” volunteer group, who posted a video on Douyin. Xiaoying’s sister in a distant province recognized her and contacted the volunteers. Remarkably, the same group had previously helped reunite Xiaoying with her mother, who’d been missing for three years. Volunteers are now helping the family, highlighting the power of social media in finding missing persons.

A new scam targets older TikTok users by impersonating customer service. Fraudsters use scare tactics, claiming account issues like unauthorized services or security risks, to trick users into downloading software and sharing their screens. They then remotely access devices and steal funds. TikTok warns users that official support will never request software downloads or screen sharing. Users should verify contacts through TikTok’s official channels and be wary of unsolicited service termination requests or fee warnings.