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AII-1000-70947
Well documentedThree or more independent publishers report the core facts.Supporting sources are pending verification.

AI Stock Trading Program Causes Financial Loss and Mental Health Crisis in Guangzhou

A man in Guangzhou reportedly lost tens of thousands of yuan investing in an AI stock trading program marketed as enabling automatic passive income. After the funds were depleted, he developed severe depression with physical symptoms and experienced a mental health crisis requiring hospital treatment.

19 April 2026 Β· Chen (Mr.) Β· Reliability and hallucination
19 April 2026
AII-1000-70947
Quick facts
Category
Reliability and hallucination
Country
China
Date
19 April 2026
Drafted by
Raidu Incident Detection

What happened

A man in Guangzhou named Chen was attracted by online advertisements promoting an 'AI automatic stock trading' program called 'Shrimp' that promised easy passive income. Chen, who does not understand computers, paid someone to install the program and invested his entire life savings.

Within months, Chen lost tens of thousands of yuan. The AI program could not predict stock market risks, and running it required continuous payments. His principal was nearly depleted.

Reported impact

After losing his funds, Chen fell into extreme self-blame and anxiety, experiencing frequent headaches, heart palpitations, insomnia, and loss of appetite. He did not dare face his family and went to a rooftop alone considering suicide.

He was diagnosed with depressive disorder by Guangdong 39 Brain Hospital and received treatment. Medical staff noted that cases of psychological crisis triggered by investment failure are not isolated incidents, and many people hold unrealistic expectations of AI stock trading systems.

Index analysis

The AI program was marketed with claims of guaranteed returns through algorithms, but proved unable to forecast market risks or deliver stable profits. The continuous fee structure meant losses accumulated even as the program operated.

Classification

Category
Reliability and hallucination
Industry
Financial and insurance services
Country
China
Harm status
Actual harm
Intent
Unknown
Timing
Post-deployment
Harm types
Economic or property, Human or fundamental rights, Psychological
Harmed
Consumers
Failure modes
Manipulation or dark pattern, Overreliance
AI systems
AI Shrimp Stock Trading Program

Sources and evidence

Sources not yet published

This record was researched and written by the Index from original reporting. Its sources are still being verified by an editor, and they are listed here once that check is complete. Until then the record carries no reviewer.

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