Man sentenced to over 10 years for defrauding 30-year friend with fake vacant home

A man in China has received a sentence of 10 years and three months for defrauding a couple he had known for nearly three decades. The Shanghai court also imposed a fine of 100,000 yuan (approximately $22,500 USD) on the man, identified as Sun.

Sun preyed on the trust of a couple who had supported him financially for years. He cultivated an image of wealth and local knowledge to lower their guard. Exploiting their desire to own a home, Sun convinced them he could secure an affordable apartment, ultimately swindling them out of over 700,000 yuan (around $158,000 USD) starting in 2023.

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The victim couple, who trusted their 30-year friend and did not even check the property ownership, are truly pitiful.

The scam involved targeting an apartment that had been vacant for an extended period. Sun hired a locksmith to change the locks and then presented the apartment to the couple as if he were the owner, facilitating a fraudulent sales contract. The couple, blinded by their long-standing friendship, bypassed essential checks like verifying property records before transferring the large sum.

The scheme unraveled in May 2025 when the legitimate owner attempted to enter the apartment with a tenant and found the door locked. Investigations revealed that Sun had already spent all the illicit funds on repaying debts and personal expenses. The case has drawn public commentary, with many expressing sympathy for the couple's misplaced trust and emphasizing the necessity of thorough verification in real estate transactions.

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Blind trust, even on a friend's recommendation, is dangerous. Thorough verification through official documents is essential for real estate transactions.