CHINA - A 'woman' who tried to sell 'her' virginity online has turned out to be a man.

'Guo Hanyun', allegedly 24, had tried to offer 'her' virginity online to anyone who could save 'her' father.

'Her' plea was posted on a China website on New Year's Day with a photo of a young woman.

Further, the message also claimed that the authorities did not release Guo even after he had recovered in 2001.

Netizens were outraged after seeing the message and the authorities were forced to release the 49-year-old Yuanrong.

Later, 'Hanyun' later turned out to be a male photographer, Peng Baoquan, who was locked up in the same mental asylum as Guo Yuanrong.

His previous attempts at trying to tell Guo Yuanrong's story to the public had no effect, hence his latest attempt.

He said he had no choice but to create a story to get media attention.

It turned out that Guo Yuanrong really did have a 10-year-old son when he was arrested.