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Zoey Zhang

A woman in China set up a scheme to save 10 million yuan (US$1.4 million) to buy a house by dating rich men, moving in with them and then looting their homes.
Yin Xue, 24, from rural Hunan in central China, grew up in a poor family.
At the age of 18, she went to the lavish wedding of one of her boyfriend’s friends, according to the mainland media outlet Guangming Net.
Seeing the couple’s designer clothes, villa and private staff sparked envy and ambition in Yin.

“I realised I wanted that kind of luxurious life too. But I would have to earn it myself,” said Yin.
She set a goal to save 10 million yuan over a five-year period, determined to buy a home in Shenzhen and bring her family together.
Yin took a hotel job in Beijing on the advice of a teacher but quit after a year, frustrated by the rules of her employment.
Back in Hunan, she worked as a sales assistant, a model and a live streamer, saving up a modest amount but still far from her goal.
In March 2021, Yin began working at a karaoke bar in Shanghai, where she joined local social and dating chat groups.
Confident about her looks, she reinvented herself as a socialite to attract rich men.
Yin followed a strict fitness routine, spent most of her savings on plastic surgery, and took classes on fine dining, wine tasting and etiquette.

“My parents could not give me the life I wanted, so I built it for myself,” she said.
Yin targeted wealthy men on social media, dated them and moved into their villas in Shanghai.
When they were away, she hired movers to clear out everything from designer belts to sofas and appliances, then sold it all on second-hand online platforms.
According to Jiangxi TV, Yin stole more than 200,000 yuan (US$30,000) from eight men in just a few months.
Most of her victims stayed silent, fearing public embarrassment.
“What I lost was not worth much, but I would be laughed at if people found out,” one of her victims said anonymously.
Yin’s ninth boyfriend, surnamed Zhang, installed security cameras at home and caught her in the act. He reported her to the police.
“It was Valentine’s Day. Seeing my girlfriend rob my place shattered my entire world view,” Zhang told the police.
In February 2022, Yin was arrested for theft and fraud and prosecuted. Her exact sentence was not disclosed.
In China, stealing less than 300,000 yuan (US$42,000) can bring a prison term of up to 10 years plus fines.
Despite her crimes, Yin lived frugally, spending less than 30 yuan a day (US$4), using free make-up samples and renting a basement room in a Shanghai hotel.

“I only wanted money to buy a house. I did not spend recklessly,” she told the police, adding that she never planned to rely on any man and believed financial power was key to attracting them.
On June 6, Yin’s case was featured on a mainland legal education television programme, sparking a debate on social media, where related posts attracted more than 350,000 views.
She has been nicknamed “the most beautiful criminal” by netizens because of her good looks and slim figure.
One online observer said: “Yin had drive, clarity and determination. It is a shame she used it for crime.”
“Her story is tragic. With the right education, she could have had a bright future,” said another.


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Chinese woman schemes to make US$1.4 million by living with rich men, looting luxury homes

A woman in China cooked up a scheme to make US$1.4 million over a five-year period by living with rich men and looting their luxury homes. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock/163.com

Yin Xue was caught by police after the ninth man she tried to rob installed surveillance cameras in his home. Photo: handout

Police who investigated Yin’s crimes decided that her case should be used to educate the public on a special television programme. Photo: handout

Investigations revealed that Yin hired movers to clear out her lovers’ homes of expensive items such as  designer belts and expensive sofas. Photo: handout

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Chinese woman schemes to make US$1.4 million by living with rich men, looting luxury homes

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Frugal fraudster with taste for high-life is dubbed the ‘most beautiful criminal’ after she has plastic surgery to dupe lovers

Frugal fraudster with taste for high-life is dubbed the ‘most beautiful criminal’ after she has plastic surgery to dupe lovers