Man accused of swindling lover of almost 1 million yuan

(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-04-09 07:55

A 22-year-old man surnamed Wu was accused of defrauding his 46-year-old lover of up to 930,000 yuan, but the suspect's family claimed the wealthy woman kept him as a sexual plaything.

Prosecutors accused Wu of swindling the woman, identified only as Xinmei, claiming he needed the money for business purposes and for medical expenses for a dying father.

Yu Xiaomin, a judge from the criminal tribunal of Xuanwu district court, told METRO that the court session opened on Wednesday. The court will likely deliver a verdict in two weeks, Yu said.

Criminals convicted of fraud involving such a large amount of money can face sentences of between 10 years and life in prison.

Wu conceded that he indeed took the money, but argued that it was borrowed on the grounds of their relationship as lovers and that it did not constitute fraud.

In March 2009, Wu, living in Shanxi province, met the Beijing resident Xinmei online via Tencent QQ, a popular online chat program.

Wu recalled Xinmei was depressed because of her recent divorce, while he was at odds with his fiance. They got close by sharing their troubles, according to Beijing Morning Post.

Wu quickly discovered that Xinmei was economically well-off and started borrowing money from her. In the following three months, Xinmei traveled to Shanxi to have sex with Wu.

She sent Wu a total of 939,050 yuan on more than 30 occasions. Most of the money had been borrowed from her relatives.

Wu reportedly spent the entire sum: 210,000 yuan was lost to what he thought was an investment in an illegal organ trafficking business; 320,000 yuan to slot-machines and other gambling; 140,000 yuan on lotteries; and 110,000 yuan on karaoke and dance halls.

His wife, who he married after beginning the relationship with Xinmei, even tried to commit suicide after hearing the story, Wu's family said.

After Xinmei asked Wu to come to live with her in Beijing, Wu refused, the suspect said.

He said Xinmei became furious and contacted police.

Wu's mother insisted that Wu was wronged and that he had committed no crime by simply being cared for by a rich woman.

Wu also confessed he kept Xinmei in the dark about his marriage, fearing she would refuse to give him more money.

Guo Xu, lawyer with the Yuecheng Law Office, told METRO that the relationship between Wu and Xinmei seemed to be quite different from ordinary lovers.

"Lending money between ordinary lovers tends to stay simple, but inappropriate relationships are likely to cause disputes," Guo said.