{
  "id": 13926434,
  "title": "Chinese man arrested after fabricating rooftop child grave hoax above residential flat",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/12/chinese-man-arrested-after-fabricating-rooftop-child-grave-hoax-above",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-12T10:00:08.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "South China Morning Post",
    "slug": "south-china-morning-post",
    "url": "https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3370597/chinese-man-arrested-after-fabricating-rooftop-child-grave-hoax-above-residential-flat"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A Chinese man has been arrested for spreading a hoax about a rooftop grave containing the remains of a young child, according to police in southwestern China. The alleged incident occurred on October 5 when a woman named Li discovered what appeared to be a grave on the rooftop of her seven-story building in Chengdu, Sichuan province. She reported the discovery to local media and police, accusing the previous owner of concealing the grave, which could negatively impact the property's value.\n\nLi's claim quickly spread on social media, causing concern among residents. Some expressed outrage, while others questioned the legitimacy of the story. A lawyer explained that burials outside designated cemeteries are illegal in China, and Li may seek to cancel the property deal or claim compensation if the seller had deliberately concealed the grave.\n\nHowever, police discovered that there was no grave on the rooftop, only a flower bed containing animal remains. Tests confirmed that the bone fragments belonged to livestock or poultry, while the teeth were consistent with fish. After investigating death records and interviewing residents, police dismissed the story as a rumor originating from a 73-year-old neighbor named Liu, whose motive remains unclear. Liu was fined for spreading the rumor, which can result in up to 10 days' detention and a fine of 500 yuan (US$75) in China. Spreading rumors is considered foolish and shameful, warned an online observer.",
  "summary": "Police in southwestern China have debunked a terrifying rumour after an alarmed homeowner was told by a neighbour that bones found on her rooftop belonged to a buried young boy. On October 5, a woman surnamed Li from Chengdu, Sichuan province, told local media outlet Sichuan Observation that she had found what appeared to be a grave on the rooftop above her flat. Li bought the second-hand flat on…",
  "key_points": [
    "Chinese man arrested for fabricating rooftop grave hoax.",
    "Woman Li discovered non-existent grave on October 5.",
    "Police dismissed story as rumor, fined 73-year-old Liu."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}