China's top securities regulator has launched an investigation into a senior official in East China's Fujian province after online allegations suggested that she owns 16 houses.

Tian Liqin, the Fujian Securities Regulatory Bureau's former deputy head, is now being probed by the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the bureau confirmed to China Daily on Monday.

Tian was pushed into the spotlight after a post surfaced on the Internet alleging she has 16 properties totaling 50 million yuan ($8 million) - well beyond her income level.