Photo: screenshot from livestreaming

Local police in North China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region said they are verifying whether a popular live-streamer, who resembles a fugitive in a 2006 murder case and also comes from Inner Mongolia, is actually the culprit, local media reported on Tuesday. The lookalike live-streamer responded, refuting online speculation. 

On Monday, the Xilinhot Public Security Bureau in Inner Mongolia issued a notice offering a reward of 200,000 yuan ($27,640) for information leading to the capture of two suspects involved in the homicide in 2006. 

According to a police notice, two suspects, armed with knives, fatally stabbed Wang Yongdong at the steps on the north side of the exhibition center west of the South Square in Xilinhot city before fleeing the scene. The notice said anyone with information on the case is urged to report promptly to the authorities. A reward of 200,000 yuan will be given to informants whose tips lead to the resolution of the case. The notice also included composite sketches of the two suspects, who were around 20 years old at the time and now remain at large.

Netizens pointed out that one of the suspects' composite sketches bore a striking resemblance to the live-streamer with 5 million followers on a popular short video platform.

On Tuesday, the lookalike streamer responded to the Chinese media outlet Jimu News, saying, "It's like they drew it based on my appearance. I'm also puzzled as to why we're so alike, but that person doesn't resemble me from 2006." The streamer provided his personal photo taken in 2006, showing significant changes in his current appearance.

The streamer told the Jimu News that he was born in 1987 and hails from the Oroqen Autonomous Banner in Hulun Buir City, Inner Mongolia. When he was nine years old in 1996, he moved with his parents from his hometown to live in Handan, North China's Hebei Province. In the first half of 2006, he was in Shanghai, followed by Dalian in the second half. He only returned to his hometown in Inner Mongolia once in 2011.

To dispel confusion about his identity not being one of the wanted suspects, the streamer had previously released videos and even conducted a live-streaming session on the matter, stating, "If I don't clarify, people might really think it's me. Although I'm active on the internet, I don't want this kind of attention. I hope netizens will handle this rationally."

Jimu News reached out to the Xilinhot Public Security Bureau, where officials confirmed that many netizens had called in with this particular tip-off on Monday. They have since reported the information to senior officers and are currently working to verify the lead. Another representative from the bureau acknowledged the influx of netizens' reports and assured that they are actively investigating and verifying all information.

Global Times