Missing Chinese woman killed after close friend allegedly lured her to Philippines to be kidnapped

A well-known Chinese influencer who went missing in the Philippines three years ago has been confirmed dead, in what is alleged to have been a kidnapping arranged by her close friend.

The woman, known online as Athena Liya and whose real name was Kong Limei, was second runner-up at the 2021 Miss World Macau pageant, according to Sin Chew Daily.

How she was lured there

In June 2023, her close friend Li Yifei reportedly invited her to Manila, saying she was heartbroken over a breakup and wanted company.

Li promised to arrange a stay at a luxury hotel and a beachside photoshoot.

After Athena set off, Li allegedly cancelled her own flight ticket and handed the flight details to kidnappers in the Philippines.

Athena was allegedly taken by a transnational crime syndicate as soon as she landed. Li immediately wiped all her social media accounts and unfollowed mutual friends.

The syndicate posed as her online

As Athena's family searched for her, Li made no contact and fled abroad.

The syndicate took control of Athena's social media accounts and posted a series of misleading updates, including suggestions that she had run up enormous gambling debts.

The aim was to deceive her family into paying a ransom of US$800,000 (S$1.02 million).

To throw off the police investigation, the group also spread false information online, including claims that Athena had been sold to a brothel in Cambodia and was being kept as a sex slave for wealthy men in Southeast Asia.

The case breaks

A second woman involved in the deception, who went by Li Na and whose real name was given as Chen Yuxuan (both transliterated), was arrested in South Korea in Sep. 2024.

The case broke on Jul. 20 this year, when the syndicate's main suspect, Liu Hanwen (transliterated), was deported from the US to China.

According to local media, the police recently confirmed that Athena had been killed and her body disposed of.

Li Yifei has not been caught. Sin Chew reported that her role remains subject to further investigation by judicial authorities.