Man sells flat he doesn’t own, cheats close friends of nearly ₹1 million: Social media reacts | Today’s news
A Shanghai man has been sentenced to more than 10 years in prison for an elaborate property fraud. He defrauded his close friends for nearly three decades out of more than 700,000 yuan ( ₹97 lakh), the South China Morning Post reported. He sold an apartment he did not own. Here’s how he did it.
The man, identified as Sun, previously owned two businesses, both of which failed. He was also previously convicted of fraud and served time in prison before his release in 2017. Despite his troubled history, the migrant worker couple continued to support him generously over the years.
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During this period, they provided food, financial assistance and emotional support. The couple had known Sun for nearly three decades and trusted him deeply, according to SCMP.
Sun appeared to them to be well connected and financially stable. He falsely claimed that a cousin in the local village committee had significant influence. When the couple sought help finding an affordable home in Shanghai, Sun immediately tapped into their trust. He told them he had access to discounted properties through his contacts.
As of 2023, Sun collected more than 700,000 yuan from the couple in installments. He insisted that the funds were payments and loans to be deducted from the final purchase price.
Two years later, he told them he had secured a move-in apartment. He then demanded another 400,000 yuan ( ₹55 lakh) to complete the deal.
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However, the apartment belonged to someone else entirely. Sun has identified a long-vacant unit in the housing estate for relocation. He hired a locksmith and claimed he had lost his keys. He changed the lock without showing any proof of ownership.
He then took the couple on a tour of the property, gave them new keys and signed a fraudulent purchase agreement with them.
The real owner, surnamed Wang, left the flat empty for more than three months while he looked for tenants. The scam was unraveled in May 2025 when Wang arrived with a prospective tenant and found his key no longer working.
Surveillance footage confirmed that the lock had been changed. Wang immediately reported the matter to the police.
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After his arrest, Sun admitted that he had already spent the entire amount on debts and living expenses. A refund seemed unlikely. The couple has yet to pay the remaining balance, bringing their total losses to more than 700,000 yuan.
The local court sentenced Sun to 10 years and 3 months in prison. A fine of 100,000 yuan (approx ₹14 million) was also deposited. According to the publication, it is not immediately known whether the locksmith was punished.
Reaction on social networks
The case caused considerable outrage on social media in mainland China.
“Avoid real estate deals that do not go through formal channels. Relevant documents should be verified and people should not blindly trust recommendations from acquaintances,” SCMP quoted one user as advising.
Another user commented: “Sun has no conscience. He is ungrateful and should get down on his knees, apologize to the couple and dedicate his life to atonement.”
“Poor couple probably trusted their friend and didn’t check the property title,” said another.
