A man in China has been found guilty of fraud after deceiving his girlfriend out of a substantial sum of money by posing as a physician at a renowned hospital. Zhang, previously employed at a hotel, was sentenced to 11 years and six months in prison and fined 250,000 yuan (approximately ₹29,22,396) for his deceitful actions. The court released details of the case in May, but specific dates of the events were not disclosed.
According to the South China Morning Post, Zhang initiated the fraudulent scheme in 2016 after meeting Huang, his girlfriend who worked at a mall. Throughout their six-year relationship, Zhang presented himself as an obstetrician-gynecologist at a prestigious Shanghai hospital. He even claimed to be a graduate of a distinguished Chinese medical school, successfully portraying himself as a “successful professional.” Huang, blinded by love, never questioned his story.
Their relationship blossomed quickly, with Zhang and Huang going on dates frequently, often on the hospital grounds. However, Zhang’s constant excuses about being too busy with clinical exams and procedures to meet Huang at the hospital could have been a red flag.
By November 2016, Zhang developed a gambling addiction and accumulated significant debt. He started stealing money from Huang under the pretense of investing in a house, but he used it to pay his debts and fund his gambling habit. Over the course of their relationship, Huang gave Zhang more than 2.6 million yuan.
Huang’s family raised concerns when Zhang began withholding money. Eventually, Huang grew suspicious and investigated whether Zhang was actually employed at the hospital. To her shock, she discovered that he was not.
The prosecution during the trial emphasized the importance of caution, stating, “Love is beautiful, but one must also be wary of sweet traps.” The case went viral on social media, generating widespread sympathy for Huang. One user commented, “She was too blinded by love.”
Zhang’s elaborate deception and Huang’s trusting nature highlight the dangers of love scams. It serves as a reminder that even in the midst of strong emotions, it’s crucial to maintain a healthy level of skepticism and to be cautious about those we allow into our lives.
