Chinese fraudster finds there is such a thing as a free lunch
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A middle-aged and clearly well-fed fraudster is being hunted in China after he posed as a high-ranking government official and went on free junkets for years.
The man, who called himself Zhao Xiyong, posed as the head of a State Council Research Office and toured factories and local government departments on all-expenses-paid trips, with free banquets thrown in.
Police in the southern province of Yunnan, where Mr Zhao is said to have conducted most of his “business”, called him an imposter. “Someone called Zhao Xiyong... made inspection tours and gave speeches,” a local government officer wrote today on Sina Weibo – the Chinese equivalent of Twitter.
Mr Zhao’s free trips included visits to universities, a power company and a vegetable farm, where he would give rousing speeches about economic development before enjoying lunch, the state-run China News Service reported.
The culprit could face up to 10 years in prison if convicted for his deception.
The general office of Yunnan’s provincial government called for “all relevant departments” to “take timely measures to prevent and expose Zhao Xiyong’s fraudulent behaviour”.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments