Wang Lin (

Some people applauded the criminalizing of placing fake orders, while others believe Li was jailed due to bad luck. This case alone is not sufficient to deter the whole “fake orders and fake rankings” industry.

Actually, fake orders have long existed in the online retailing business, and the damage is obvious, yet this has continued. The punishment is a fine of 10,000 yuan ($1,500) to 200,000 yuan. Many people thus blame the rampant fake ranking business on light punishment. However, the major reason is not the law’s leniency, but the rarity of its implementation. Such a lenient attitude toward fake orders will hardly deter the whole industry. Too much attention is paid to the severity of punishment, while the importance of holding every culprit accountable is neglected.

The first criminal case against fake orders and fake rankings means the punishment has escalated. In the past, placing fake orders was not targeted mainly because it was difficult to detect. Now thanks to technological progress, fake orders can be easily detected on online retailing platforms. The authorities should not always wait for complaints or reports. They should take proactive action by keeping an eye on fake order data and investigating in a timely manner to stop criminals from placing fake orders.