Chinese netizens expressed outrage after an internet celebrity encouraged followers to take advantage of online business pricing errors and order large quantities of goods.

Earlier this week, a fruit seller on Taobao reported an online video-sharing celebrity encouraged his followers to take advantage of pricing errors and ordered nearly 3,000 kilograms of oranges at 30 yuan each. The store lost 7 million yuan (roughly $1million) and was almost forced to shut down.  

(File photo: VCG)

According to one news report, at least two online vendors were affected by similar actions. Meanwhile, three large-sized businesses reported losses of 10 million yuan due to platform loopholes and other errors.

On Thursday, Taobao released a statement on its official Weibo page that said the fruit seller had been protected. The internet celebrity's account was frozen.

The incident sparked heated discussion on Chinese social media, where netizens criticized the celebrity’s intentions. The online fruit store was up and running later that night.