Sichuan marriage fraud: a matchmaker used a fake girlfriend and mother-in-law to scam 10 men out of $200,000 in three years. Four arrested; verify identities.
A woman introduced by a trusted local matchmaker, a sweet and caring girlfriend chatting online, and even a mother-in-law who showed up for a face-to-face meeting. It all seemed like a genuine romance. But in reality, every single one of them was part of an elaborate scam.
Police in Zhongjiang County, Deyang, Sichuan Province, have recently cracked a marriage fraud case involving four suspects. Ten men were allegedly tricked into handing over more than 1.4 million yuan (around $200,000) over a period of three years.
Photo source: Zhongjiang Public Security Bureau
The man behind the scheme, identified by the surname Zou, was once well regarded in his community as a reliable matchmaker. He had successfully introduced several local residents to their partners and earned a reputation as someone people could trust. Many single men in nearby villages approached him, hoping he could help them find a wife.
But Zou turned that trust into a business opportunity. He borrowed someone else's real-name WeChat account and used it to create a fictional identity for a young woman named Huang Mouyan. The local men thought they were chatting with a caring girlfriend, but the person sending all those sweet messages was actually Zou himself.
To make the deception more convincing, Zou had a plan for almost every situation. When victims asked for voice or video calls, he arranged for two female accomplices to step in and pretend to be Huang, easing their suspicions.
Things became even more elaborate when marriage entered the conversation. Zou played two roles: online, he continued posing as Huang, while in person, he pretended to be her younger brother. The group also recruited a 58-year-old woman, identified by the surname Wang, to pose as Huang's mother.
The fake family even visited the victims and their relatives in person, making the relationship appear completely legitimate.
Photo source: Zhongjiang Public Security Bureau
Then came the requests for money. Renovation expenses, medical bills for family members, engagement gifts — the group always had another excuse to ask for cash. Over three years, they managed to scam the 10 men out of more than 1.4 million yuan (around $200,000) in total.
The scam came to light when one man was preparing to register his marriage, only for his girlfriend to suddenly change her attitude and disappear. Realizing he might have been deceived, he reported the matter to the police. As word of the case spread, other victims also came forward. In early July, police arrested all four suspects.
Photo source: Zhongjiang Public Security Bureau
Police have reminded the public that being introduced to someone through a friend, relative or local matchmaker does not mean they are automatically trustworthy. If someone you have only recently met starts asking for money for one reason or another, be cautious, especially before you have properly verified their identity.
Anyone who suspects they have fallen victim to a scam should save chat histories and payment records and contact the police immediately.
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