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Zoey Zhang

A man in southwestern China, accused of scamming multiple victims out of 32.7 million yuan (US$4.5 million) to fund his girlfriend’s lavish lifestyle, lived frugally with his parents.
Police say that the man surnamed Liu from Chengdu, Sichuan province, forged contracts, business licences, and company seals during the alleged crime spree.
Liu allegedly leased a petrol station to one victim without having operating rights and collected a deposit.
He is also accused of claiming to hold shares in a local energy company and its petrol station, then tricking others into paying rent.

In another alleged scheme, Liu is accused of using a fake equity transfer agreement to swindle investment funds from a petroleum company.
Since September 2019, Liu has been accused of defrauding more than 70 people out of a total of 32.7 million yuan.
Police have described Liu as “highly calculating”.
He is accused of targeting victims who were introduced through acquaintances, making them less suspicious.
Police accused Liu of laundering the stolen money by buying large amounts of supermarket gift cards and selling them at a discount through middlemen.
The proceeds were then funnelled into his bank accounts to hide their origin, according to police.

Liu was arrested in May but has refused to confess.
Investigators uncovered more than 80 bank accounts connected to him and more than 300,000 transactions over the years.
The authorities have frozen or seized his assets worth more than 25 million yuan (US$3.5 million). The case is now with prosecutors.
Dong Lei, the police officer who is leading the investigation, told Chengdu Daily that Liu did not spend the money on himself.
Instead, almost all of it went to his girlfriend.
Despite being unemployed, she lived an extravagant lifestyle. Liu bought her a Porsche sports car and several villas.

By contrast, he had no house or car, lived with his parents, rarely ordered takeaway food, or bought clothes for himself.
As of writing, neither Liu’s girlfriend nor his parents have commented.
Officer Dong said that Liu’s alleged use of contract fraud was a serious economic crime that disrupts market order and damages trust in the system.
Under Chinese law, large-scale fraud or cases with severe circumstances can lead to more than 10 years in prison, life imprisonment, and hefty fines or asset confiscation.
The story has triggered a widespread discussion on mainland social media.
One online observer said: “Liu is blinded by love. His girlfriend is the real winner.”
“Such devotion to his girlfriend. It is a shame he used his smarts for the wrong things,” said another.
“Business deals need proper verification. You cannot trust someone just because they seem familiar,” added a third person.


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The suspect, surnamed Liu, was arrested in May. He has refused to confess to his alleged crimes. Photo: Baidu

Investigators said Liu lived frugally with his parents but was able to buy a luxury sports car for his girlfriend. Photo: EPA-EFE

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Police accuse ‘calculating’ yet frugal-living suspect of carrying out crime spree that had more than 70 victims


Police accuse ‘calculating’ yet frugal-living suspect of carrying out crime spree that had more than 70 victims.


Scams and swindles

‘Blinded by love’ Chinese man spends most of US$4.5 million ill-gotten gains on lover

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Police accuse ‘calculating’ yet frugal-living suspect of carrying out crime spree that had more than 70 victims

Police accuse ‘calculating’ yet frugal-living suspect of carrying out crime spree that had more than 70 victims