Suspicions were aroused after members of the wife’s family realised none of the paid guests would disclose their relationship with the husband beyond just being “friends”.

The incident has gone viral on Chinese social media, though it is not yet clear what law the husband, named as Mr Wang, may have broken.

A police investigation is currently ongoing.

After the ruse was revealed, some of the guests told local TV that they were paid around 80 yuan - less than £10 - to fulfil their roles.

The couple had been together for three years, China News reports.