Charlatan's misdeeds reflect ills of society

Self-proclaimed qigong master Wang Lin has finally been placed under investigation for allegedly being involved in the kidnapping and murder of his apprentice Zou Yong a week ago.

His allegedly illegal activities were first reported more than two years ago, as he was accused of practicing medicine without license, possessing arms without license, bribing officials and swindling people, including lending money at very high interest rates. He was even reported to have fled to Hong Kong to evade arrest for the crimes he had allegedly been accused of.

Stories and photographs about his close relationship with a number of high officials, including some who are already in jail for corruption, and celebrities such as film stars, and television hosts and hostesses, went viral. However, to the surprise of many, police in his hometown Pingxiang, East China's Jiangxi province, said they couldn't find any tangible evidence to incriminate Wang for the alleged offenses.