Chinese celebrity game streamer and influencer Lan Zhanfei, who commands over 24 million followers and is known as a self-made millionaire, was robbed at knifepoint inside a five-star hotel in Cape Town’s CBD on Monday.
Police confirmed that a case of house robbery has been registered following the incident.
Police spokesperson Constable Ndakhe Gwala stated:
“This office confirms that Cape Town Central police registered a case of house robbery yesterday (December 8) following an incident that occurred at a hotel in Cape Town. The case has been transferred to provincial serious violent crime detectives for further investigation.”
According to a report by english.dotdotnews.com, Lan disclosed that he was held at knifepoint for four to five hours by one attacker and two black accomplices inside his hotel room. The group allegedly pretended to be fans while planning the robbery.
The report also claims the robbers had been plotting the attack for six months. Their first attempt—approaching him at the airport disguised as fans—reportedly failed. They allegedly bribed airport and hotel staff to track his movements and later abducted him during the night in his hotel room.
Lan said that choosing to use an official taxi may have prevented an even more dangerous ambush.
The assailants also allegedly tried to force him to transfer money and apply for online loans. They reportedly collected biological evidence—fingerprints, hair, and semen—as part of a threat to fabricate a rape case should he report the crime.
Following the ordeal, Lan contacted Chinese authorities and the Chinese embassy. He was reportedly advised that the likelihood of solving the case was very low, and that reporting served primarily to protect him from possible framing attempts.
According to Cape Argus, Lan’s rise to fame has been dramatic: from a game booster earning 3,000 yuan per month to a top-tier streamer with massive commercial success. He now earns R2 million annually in interest alone, runs seven companies, and generates up to 50 million yuan per year from livestreaming sales.
Police investigations into the case are ongoing.
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