Chinese Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Defrauding Multiple Wives Out of $280,000

Chinese Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Defrauding Multiple Wives Out of $280,000

Ziyang, Sichuan — In a shocking case that has captivated the nation, a 39-year-old man, identified only by his surname Liu, has been sentenced to 13 years in prison for orchestrating a decade-long fraud scheme that defrauded over 20 individuals, including five of his ex-wives, out of nearly two million yuan (approximately US$280,000).

According to a report by the South China Morning Post, Liu was convicted by a court in Ziyang, Sichuan province, after a lengthy investigation revealed the extent of his deceitful activities. Between 2009 and 2024, Liu married six women, ultimately divorcing all of them while simultaneously manipulating them and their families into lending him substantial sums of money.

A Calculated Con

Liu presented himself as a successful entrepreneur, often showcasing a lavish lifestyle on social media, complete with rented luxury cars. His charm and apparent wealth attracted numerous women, whom he skillfully convinced to lend him money under various pretenses, including claims of expanding his toy business and paying staff salaries.

In one particularly egregious instance, Liu forged a medical report to convince a girlfriend that his mother was gravely ill, prompting her to lend him money. When pressed for repayment, he consistently stalled, claiming he needed more time.

One ex-wife recounted, “He is good at comforting girls and has a good temperament. That is why I was attracted to him, even though I knew he had divorced.” Another lamented, “I regret lending him more than 400,000 yuan.”

Trail of Deceit

Liu’s fraudulent activities caught up with him in 2021 when he was labeled a defaulter after failing to repay 320,000 yuan to a former girlfriend who took legal action against him. Despite this, he continued his deceptive practices, showing no intention of repaying his debts. A police officer involved in the case stated, “His actions obviously had the purpose of illegal possession, so he has constituted the crime of fraud.”

The web of lies unraveled in late 2023 when Liu’s sixth wife, Xiaolu, reported him to the authorities. They had married just two weeks after meeting, and Liu quickly persuaded her to quit her job, mortgage her flat, and borrow money from online lenders and family members—all of which he failed to return.

Xiaolu expressed her despair to the police, saying, “I was cheated by him and have lost my flat and my job. I am under a huge amount of debt because of him. I really would like to commit suicide.”

During interrogation, Liu admitted to his crimes, revealing a disturbing mindset: “I want to seek revenge on women. They are not trustworthy and too materialistic.”

Conclusion

This case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that can arise in relationships, particularly when trust is exploited for personal gain. As Liu begins his 13-year sentence, the victims of his deceit are left to pick up the pieces of their shattered lives, grappling with the emotional and financial fallout of his elaborate con.