租一部手机，竟然背上了高利贷

Core Viewpoint - Qingyun Rental has collapsed, revealing a complex web of financial traps within the mobile phone rental industry, which has transformed into a financial game and debt trap, raising significant risk alarms [1] Company Overview - Qingyun Rental, a platform specializing in the rental of 3C digital products, promised investors annual returns of 14.4% to 16.8% through a model where merchants invest in Apple phones and receive rental income [1][3] - The company had established seven branches across major cities in China, including Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Shanghai, and claimed to have served over 1 million users [3][7] Business Model and Operations - The business model involved merchants investing in phones, which were then rented out, but concerns arose regarding the legitimacy of the phone procurement process, with reports of duplicate serial numbers being assigned to different merchants [4][6] - Qingyun Rental's rental rates were significantly higher than market norms, with annual rental fees exceeding 130% of the official price, raising compliance issues [5][6] Employee Insights - Employees reported extensive overtime and a push for system restructuring, which was abruptly halted when the company ceased operations [2][3] - Many employees were also required to invest in internal phone purchases to meet performance targets, further entangling them in the financial scheme [3] Industry Context - The mobile rental industry has been plagued by high-interest loan traps disguised as rental agreements, with intermediaries encouraging individuals in debt to rent phones for cash [7][8] - Cases have emerged where individuals, under the guise of rental agreements, accumulated significant debts, often exceeding their original loans [8] Financial and Legal Implications - Qingyun Rental's collapse has led to over 1,860 employees and more than 6,000 investors being affected, with many seeking legal recourse [3][4] - The company’s financial practices and the potential connections to high-interest lending are under investigation, with implications for the broader rental industry [10][14] Ownership and Governance - The ownership structure of Qingyun Rental is complex, with the largest shareholder, Bian Wenbin, claiming to hold shares on behalf of others, raising questions about accountability [10][11] - The company underwent significant ownership changes shortly before its collapse, including a shell company listing that obscured the true ownership and financial backing [12][13] Conclusion - The Qingyun Rental case highlights the risks associated with the mobile phone rental industry, where financial practices may lead to significant consumer debt and regulatory scrutiny [1][14]