Chinese Dating Scam Exposed: Homeless Man’s Fake Fortune Fools Multiple Women

A homeless man in China has been arrested for a sophisticated dating scam. He posed as a wealthy nightclub owner to deceive women in Shanghai. His scheme involved fake money and promises of payment for companionship.

According to the South China Morning Post, the scam unraveled in August. A woman reported the fraud to police in Shanghai’s Putuo District after discovering the truth.

Elaborate Chinese Dating Scam Uncovered

The suspect, identified only by his surname Chen, is 36 years old. He allegedly targeted at least five women over ten days. He introduced himself as the owner of a popular nightclub.

He hired one woman, using the alias Liu Qian, as a local guide. Chen promised to pay her 3,500 yuan for showing him around the city. He took her to dinner and entertainment venues.

How the Fake Wealth Scheme Worked

Chen used a clever trick to gain his victims’ trust. He arrived at their homes carrying a black plastic bag. The bag appeared to be filled with 50,000 to 60,000 yuan in cash.

He instructed them to keep the money under their beds. He claimed this was for feng shui purposes. The women believed the cash was real and covered his expenses.

One victim needed to pay her rent. She opened the bag after Chen stepped outside. She found it was filled with training banknotes used by tellers for practice.

Police discovered a pattern of deceit. Chen visited high-end establishments with different women. They paid for food, drinks, hotel rooms, and taxi rides.

He even used their money to buy new clothes and a smartphone. When he failed to find a new target, he slept on public park benches. This cycle continued until his arrest.

Thought you’d like to know

How did the scammer attract his victims?

He used a secondary online account to pose as an agent. He posted ads in chat groups for “high paying companionship” jobs to find women.

What made the fake money look convincing?

He stacked training banknotes with a few genuine notes on the top and bottom. This created a convincing illusion of substantial wealth when shown briefly.

How many women were affected by this scam?

Police have confirmed at least five women were defrauded through this method. The investigation revealed a pattern over a ten-day period in Shanghai.

What charges does the suspect face?

Chen has been formally arrested on charges of fraud. The case is proceeding through the Chinese legal system following the police investigation.

What was the suspect’s living situation?

Despite portraying a wealthy image, the man was actually homeless. He slept on public park benches between finding new victims for his scheme.