Panic ensues as millions of Ofo riders demand refunds

Troubled bike-share startup Ofo, which has been quitting cities around the planet this year, has a fresh crisis – millions of people are demanding their deposits back.

Ofo’s app shows that in excess of 8 million people are in a virtual queue to get back their deposits, which typically vary from US$15 to $30, depending on the date of signup.

This has been verified by numerous tech bloggers and media outlets, who have seen varying numbers over the past few days, such as this one from earlier in the day showing 7,605,947 ahead in line:

It’s not just virtual queues

At Ofo’s Beijing headquarters yesterday and today, dozens of people formed a line that started out on the street.

Photo credit: 乐活北京 WeChat account

At least five police vehicles were seen at the scene yesterday.

The Ofo users snaked across the building’s plaza…

Photo credit: 乐活北京 WeChat account

Through the lobby…