Chinese relatives marry each other in alleged housing scam
Family stages 23 weddings in two weeks to qualify for apartments
Eleven members of a Chinese family staged 23 marriages in two weeks in a scam to get free housing, according to state media.
Officials were offering 40-square-metre flats to residents in a village near Lishui in eastern Zhejiang province, where homes were being demolished to make way for an urban renewal project.
CNN reports that when a man called Pan heard about the compensation scheme, he swiftly re-married his ex-wife who lived in the village in order to qualify. He then divorced her again six days later.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Soon, the family were performing more marriages. Pan married his sister and her sister-in-law, ultimately registering three marriages at the Ministry of Civil Affairs three times in just one week.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues for £6–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Then his father married several relatives, including his own mother. After each wedding, they registered as residents of the village, before filing for divorce. The Daily Mail says the “cunning” family “got into the act for a total of 23 weddings and divorces”.
However, the committee overseeing the village’s redevelopment eventually noticed what was happening and filed a complaint with police.
People’s Daily reports that all 11 members of the family have been arrested for alleged fraud. Four were detained, with others released on bail, as authorities continue to investigate the incidents.
The authorities ruled that though Chinese civil law does not limit the number of marriages and divorces an individual is entitled to, the family’s actions were illegal because they were used to defraud the government.
The impudence of the family has been widely commented upon on social media. “Even screenwriters would not dare to create a plot like this,” wrote one person on Weibo, China’s equivalent of Twitter.
Another remarked: “There are obviously loopholes in the system. Can you just blame the family for being greedy?”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 24, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - taped bananas, flying monkeys, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published