A man who posted a reward advertisement but did not pay the promised amount has been taken to court, reports Changsha Evening News.

On May 9, He's niece and three other girls ran away from home. On behalf of the anxious parents, He posted an ad three days later.

According to the ad, anyone who could provide information on the girls' whereabouts or persuade them to return home would be rewarded with 10,000 yuan (US$1,200).

Zhang, a retired teacher who knew nothing about the reward, happened to meet the four girls on May 13 and called their parents.

Zhang was puzzled later on when his colleagues asked him to invite them to dinner.

After they told him about the reward offer, Zhang contacted He, who negotiated the reward down to 2,000 yuan (US$240).

Although Zhang agreed to the reduced amount, he never received the money.

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