(Yicai Global) Dec. 20 -- Top Chinese e-commerce live sales host Viya, who once sold a rocket launch pad online for USD5.6 million, has been fined CNY1.34 billion (USD210 million) for tax evasion.

Viya, whose real name is Huang Wei, was found to have avoided tax payments of CNY643 million (USD100.8 million) between 2019 and 2020 and underpaid other taxes to the tune of CNY60 million (USD9.4 million), according to a document issued by the State Taxation Administration today.

Viya was able to dodge taxes by submitting false declarations, hiding the commissions she earned and fabricating businesses, the tax office said.

Her penalty, which comprises the recovery of the taxes, surcharges on overdue payments and fines, is mild, it said. Viya co-operated with the tax authorities in Hangzhou, southeastern Zhejiang province, making a voluntary additional payment of CNY500 million and offering a full confession of other acts that had not yet been found out. Fines can range from 50 percent to five times the amount of tax evaded.

Viya has made a fortune as a top Internet influencer and livestreamer on Taobao, Alibaba Group Holding’s main e-commerce platform. She sold around CNY8.53 billion (USD1.34 billion) worth of goods on the first day of the Double 11 online shopping bonanza last month, with an average spend of CNY317 (USD50) per customer, according to Taobao data.

Editor: Kim Taylor