China baker asked to hide RM13,000 inside cake as surprise at engagement party celebration tricked into dirty money scam, gains sympathy online

China cash-in-cake trend sees deluge of videos hit social media. Baker’s bank account frozen, police launch crime proceeds probe. — SCMP

The story of a bakery shop owner in China who became unwittingly embroiled in a dirty money racket after making a cake for a customer with 20,000 yuan (RM13,322 or US$2,800) hidden inside it, has sparked much interest online.

Ordering a “money-hiding cake” is a popular way to present gifts on special occasions in China, social media is filled with videos showing recipients joyfully pulling out cash like tissues from a box.