Yuancheng(SH:603388) Xin Lang Zheng Quan·2025-10-17 10:24Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the severe financial fraud of *ST Yuancheng and how ordinary investors can avoid similar pitfalls, highlighting abnormal related party transactions, liquidity risk signals, and frequent changes in auditing firms as red flags [1][5][9]. Summary by Sections Financial Fraud Details - *ST Yuancheng has been found to have inflated revenues and profits for three consecutive years from 2020 to 2022, violating securities laws [2]. - The company inflated operating costs by 158 million yuan, operating income by 209 million yuan, and total profit by 50.46 million yuan during this period [2]. - Specific years showed significant inflation: in 2020, operating costs were inflated by 115 million yuan (22.75% of reported figures), operating income by 153 million yuan (21.48%), and total profit by 38.48 million yuan (36.6%) [2]. Abnormal Transactions - The company engaged in large related party transactions, particularly with Zhejiang Yuelongshan Tourism Development Co., which accounted for a significant portion of its sales [5][6]. - From 2017 to 2021, the related sales to Yuelongshan were 175 million yuan, 561 million yuan, 457 million yuan, 435 million yuan, and 256 million yuan, representing 20.73%, 45.06%, 45.33%, 60.92%, and 44.66% of total sales respectively [5]. Liquidity Risks - The company showed signs of liquidity tightening, with a cash balance of 79 million yuan against short-term borrowings of 503 million yuan by the end of 2021 [8]. - Despite declining revenues, the company reported a significant increase in cash flow, with a 29.08% drop in revenue in 2020 but a positive cash flow, and a further 19.84% drop in 2021 with an 814.21% increase in cash flow [8]. Auditing Concerns - The company changed its auditing firms frequently, switching from Tianjian to Zhihong and then to Zhongxing in consecutive years, which raises concerns about the reliability of audits [9]. - All three auditing firms issued "standard unqualified" opinions during the years of fraud, prompting questions about their diligence and potential accountability [11].