A photo posted online that shows the food the so-called "Shanghai girl" is served by the parents of her "Jiangxi boyfriend." [Photo: news.qq.com]

The story of a Shanghai girl who was so freaked out by the standard of the food her boyfriend's parents served up for Spring Festival, that she decided to put an end to their relationship, has turned out to be a scam.

The story went viral online earlier in the month, prompting support for her stance and criticism in equal measures.

It now turns out the so-called "Shanghai girl" is in fact a mother, surnamed Xu, who lives somewhere near Shanghai. And the so called "boyfriend from Jiangxi" has never even met her.

The originator of the scam said she was simply venting her discontent with her husband after they'd had an argument over the Spring Festival holiday.