A shocking case of deception has emerged from China, where a woman was defrauded by a close friend of 20 years who posed as a female romantic partner online. The victim, identified only as Ms. Wang from Zhejiang Province, reportedly transferred money more than 800 times over the course of a year, losing over 50,000 yuan (approximately 11 million won) before discovering the truth.
Friend’s Introduction Sparks Online Romance
According to police reports, the scheme began last year. Ms. Wang, who had been single for a long time after her divorce, was seeking a serious relationship with the intention of remarrying. She confided in her longtime friend, referred to as A, and asked for help in finding a suitable partner.
Shortly after, A introduced Ms. Wang to a woman via social media, claiming the woman was a colleague from work. The woman introduced herself as ‘Xiaomei’ and quickly developed a warm, affectionate rapport with Ms. Wang through frequent messaging. The two soon began addressing each other as ‘darling’ and ‘honey,’ believing they were in a genuine romantic relationship.
Repeated Requests for Money
However, Xiaomei consistently asked for financial assistance, citing various emergencies. She claimed she was hungry, that her grandmother was ill, or that she needed money for hospital bills. Believing they were in love, Ms. Wang complied without suspicion, transferring funds to Xiaomei’s account repeatedly.
Despite multiple attempts by Ms. Wang to arrange an in-person meeting, Xiaomei always refused, citing work commitments. The relationship eventually soured after a major argument, and the two cut off contact.
Shocking Discovery: Friend Was the Fraudster
After the breakup, Ms. Wang began to feel something was off. She conducted her own investigation and made a startling discovery: the woman she had been corresponding with for over a year was none other than her trusted friend, A. The revelation led her to file a police report.
Police launched an investigation, and under pressure, A voluntarily surrendered at a police station. During questioning, A reportedly confessed that the scam started as a simple joke but later escalated due to financial troubles. Authorities confirmed that Ms. Wang had made over 800 transfers to A’s account, with total losses exceeding 50,000 yuan.
Ongoing Investigation
Police are currently investigating the full extent of the fraud, including whether A has committed similar offenses in the past. The case highlights the dangers of online romance scams, even when the perpetrator is someone known and trusted.
