Prosecutors approve arrest of deliveryman for fraud

Beijing prosecutors said on Wednesday they have approved the arrest of an express deliveryman for suspicion of fraud by pretending to be a head of a fund association recently.

Liu, the suspect, allegedly defrauded 250,000 yuan ($40,330) from a woman surnamed Cao after he pretended to be a general secretary of a foundation and told Cao he could help her solve demolition problems in her hometown, according to a statement provided by prosecutors in Beijing's Fengtai district.

Cao, who runs a business in Beijing, called a friend surnamed Ban in May 2013, saying her relatives in her hometown in Shandong province sought higher compensation for the demolition of their house, the statement said.

At that time, Ban was on Liu's motorcycle and Liu said he could solve Cao's problem, the statement said.

Initially, Cao doubted Liu, as she did not know him, but she finally invited Liu to her home out of her anxiety to help her relatives, the statement said.

Liu told Cao he was the general secretary of a foundation and said he knew many high-level officials, the statement said, adding he would aid Cao if she invested in an electronic automobile project.

Liu made fake documents of the project and took Cao to participate in some so-called activities of the electronic automobile, in a move to make her trust him, the statement said.

On June 7, Cao paid 250,000 yuan to Liu and he took her to Shandong province. Several days later, Liu introduced a friend to Cao, promising the friend would solve the problem and asking her to return to Beijing to await his messages, the statement said.

But Cao did not hear from Liu, even though she made many calls to him, according to the statement.

Cao eventually called the police and Liu was detained on Oct 3, the statement added.

An investigation indicated Liu was an express deliveryman and his foundation did not exist, said Chen Wei, the prosecutor in Fengtai district.

"There are clear procedures and rules if people deal with demolitions in our country. To avoid losses, we don't believe those who say they can help us get more money for a demolition," Chen added.