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Luckin Coffee fined US$9 million for accounting fraude

By Rajiv Menon
1 min read
Luckin Coffee
Luckin Coffee
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Disgraced Chinese coffee chain Luckin Coffee, along with more than 40 other firms involved in the deception, has been fined almost US$9 million for falsifying its financial records.

According to reporting, China’s finance ministry has previously found Luckin to have booked RMB2.25 billion in sales via counterfeit coupons between April and December last year, as well as having inflated its reported revenues, costs, and profits.

China’s market regulator found Luckin to have flouted Chinese regulations and misled the public over the period in question.

“We have carried out an overall rectification on the related issues,” said a representative from the firm in acknowledging that Luckin respected the regulator’s decision. “We will further improve our operations according to related laws and regulations.”

Luckin was formerly considered a likely competitor against Starbucks within the territory.

Questions & Answers

Q.

What specifically did Luckin Coffee do to falsify its financial records?

A.

Luckin booked RMB2.25 billion in sales using counterfeit coupons between April and December last year. It also inflated reported revenues, costs, and profits, according to China's finance ministry.

Q.

How many other firms were involved in the financial deception alongside Luckin Coffee?

A.

More than 40 other firms were involved in the deception. They, along with Luckin Coffee, have been fined almost US$9 million for their involvement.

Q.

What was the total fine imposed on Luckin Coffee and the other involved firms?

A.

The total fine imposed on Luckin Coffee and more than 40 other firms involved in the deception was almost US$9 million. This was for falsifying financial records and misleading the public.

Q.

How did Luckin Coffee respond to the regulator's decision and the findings?

A.

A representative from Luckin acknowledged respecting the decision and stated they had carried out an overall rectification on the issues. They also said they would further improve operations according to laws and regulations.

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