A carpetbagger

The word 'carpetbagger' was first used after the American Civil War to refer to northerners who moved to the South during Reconstruction, between 1865 and 1877. They often traveled with their luggage packed in cheap and durable bags made from old carpets known as carpetbags.

Carpetbaggers were perceived as outsiders who arrived in the South at a time of great difficulties, seeking to profit from the chaos. Nowadays the words can also refer to politicians who seek election in an area to which they have no ties or connections. In short, a carpetbagger is an unethical opportunist.

Such as the company behind this Google ad that recently appeared in your correspondent's Gmail inbox:

Translation:

LoudClear Long Live President Hu Premier Wen LoudClear.com Young Hu gives earthquake relief, Call U.S.A. from China, -- 2.9 cents per minute Old Wen relieves disaster Call China from U.S.A. -- 1.2 cents per minute

The company's website offers a cheap calling service between the U.S. and China, but nothing at all connected with the earthquake and disaster relief.

There is a word in Chinese that refers to this specific type of carpetbagger: 'fa guonan cai' (发国难财): getting rich off national disaster.

Articles about other Sichuan earthquake carpetbaggers are linked below.