Chinese woman changes locks on 80 flats, sells them to defraud family & friends out of over S$4 million

Wang Wei, a woman in China, orchestrated a scheme involving changing locks on houses awaiting "reallocation" and copious amounts of photoshop to defraud friends and family out of US$3.3 million (S$4.42 million) over five years.

Wang, who is reportedly in her early 30s, along with her husband had accumulated credit card debts.

According to Chinese media, while the husband lived frugally to pay off loans he had accrued, Wang decided to do something different.

SCMP reported that she had learned of a local company rolling out a new batch of "relocation houses that were awaiting allocation".

Wang decided to forge property certificates and floor plans, which she then used to convince locksmiths to change the locks on 80 flats.

According to Sina News, the investigating officer called her "reckless" and commented that she had replaced nearly all the locks on the entire building.

To avoid suspicion, Wang would use different locksmiths and lead them through staircases that did not have security cameras.

SCMP reported that she then sold these units, not hers to sell by the way, at significantly reduced prices to family and friends.

These included her aunt, sister-in-law, and friends.

Wang was also not using these ill-gotten funds to pay off debts either. According to Chinese media, she had grown smitten with a live-streamer, started an affair with him, and had given pricey gifts including luxury vehicles and properties.

In total, she spent millions on him and other male live-streamers.

The police has only recovered S$1.43 million so far.

Images from Sina