Chinese police say Tencent likely swindled by chilli sauce impostors

The dispute emerged earlier this week after a Shenzhen court said it would freeze 16.24 million yuan ($2.3 million) worth of assets belonging to Lao Gan Ma at the request of Tencent Holdings Ltd, who had sued the manufacturer for failing to pay advertising fees under a 2019 contract.

SHANGHAI: Chinese police on Wednesday said Tencent appears to have been duped by a group of people masquerading as representatives of China's best-known chilli oil maker, Lao Gan Ma, after the internet giant accused the latter of breaching a contract.

The dispute emerged earlier this week after a Shenzhen court said it would freeze 16.24 million yuan ($2.3 million) worth of assets belonging to Lao Gan Ma at the request of Tencent Holdings Ltd, who had sued the manufacturer for failing to pay advertising fees under a 2019 contract.