A device that can shoot 1,800°C flames for up to 25cm is being sold on e-commerce websites in China.

The pitch? This is a must-have anti-pervert device that can be discreetly carried around in a ladies' handbag.

Shaped like a cigarette lighter and can measure up to 20cm in size, these devices have even been marketed by one vendor, who boasted to local media, about how they can "scald or even disfigure an attacker.”

One website's description of the weapon read: "Flames and the super high temperatures are enough to scare the bad guys away... you could also become an anti-terror SWAT.”

Other sellers have said the device can be used for practical purposes, such as starting campfires.

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As cheap as S$17.70 for one

Business has been brisk as one shop on Chinese e-commerce site Taobao said it had sold about 300 of the flamethrowers in the past 30 days.

Each flame-thrower costs between 90 yuan (S$17.70) to 300 yuan (S$59.95) each.

The flames can last for up to 30 minutes, as claimed by sellers.

The flame-throwers operate by housing the inflammable gas butane. This substance would render the device unlawful to be carried on trains and planes.

Police in China have warned that the devices are against the law.

However, they were still being sold in China over the Internet.

Devices targeted at women who want to ward off unwanted advances are likely to soar in the summer season, where there is a spike in harassment cases in China.