Chinese couple murdered in Newcastle may have been Scammers

[dirtydog]

Murdered couple in 'scam' probe

Xi Zhou and her boyfriend Zhen Xing Yang studied at Newcastle University


A Chinese couple murdered in Newcastle may have been involved in a range of internet scams, including betting and providing false visas, police said.

Zhen Xing Yang and girlfriend Xi Zhou died after a "frenzied" knife attack at a flat in Newcastle's West End.

Detectives revealed information on a seized computer and three mobile phones showed the pair may also have arranged forged professional qualifications.

The 25-year-old Newcastle University graduates were found dead on 9 August.
Det Supt Steve Wade, leading the murder investigation, said: "A possible motive for the killings is beginning to emerge concerning the lifestyle of Xi Zhou and Zhen Xing Yang.
"Community intelligence supported by the examination of computer equipment and mobile call data has shown that both of the victims have been involved in fraudulent activity which has angered and upset a number of people.

Televised matches

"We are currently investigating this as a possible motive for the killings."
One line of inquiry involves claims Mr Zhen recruited spectators online to send live updates from UK football matches.

It is claimed syndicates in China, where matches are televised a minute behind, could take advantage of this.

Information passed to Northumbria Police includes details of adverts placed on UK-based Mandarin-language websites, recruiting people to watch football matches around the world.

One reads: "It is a very simple job, any student who is interested, please contact Zhen Xing Yang."

An ad posted under the name CICI-UK, his girlfriend's nickname, on the powerapple website last October, reads: "Work: Watch football games and send live information to people.
"Requirement: Basic understanding of football rules, no professional background needed, advantage if you have a car.
"Location: Sheffield, London, Blackpool, Portsmouth, York, Hull and many other places."

Similar adverts requested live information from the Mexican League.



New link to murder probe


The couple were found dead in separate bedrooms at the downstairs flat by friends on the afternoon on 9 August.

Police said Mr Zhen was "assaulted for more than an hour" before being stabbed. They believe passers-by may have heard his screams.

A post-mortem examination revealed he suffered extensive bruising to his arms before he died.

Examinations also showed Miss Xi may have been asphyxiated as well as stabbed during the attack.

The body of a cat, which had been drowned and hidden in a washing bowl underneath the bathroom sink, was probably killed by the couple's murderer, said police.

An offender profiler has been brought in to help establish a motive for the killings.
Police have also released CCTV images taken as Miss Xi travelled home from work at the Wagamama restaurant in Newcastle last Thursday afternoon.

Police have not been able to find any occupation for Mr Zhen since he completed his degree in September 2006. A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We continue to look into the lifestyle of both victims and internet websites form part of this investigation. "We cannot comment further at this stage."

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Tyne | Murdered couple in 'scam' probe

Murdered student caught on CCTV

Police have released CCTV images of the last walk home made by Chinese student Xi Zhou, who was murdered in her Newcastle flat along with her boyfriend. The 25-year-old was captured on camera taking the bus home from the Wagamama restaurant were she worked and walking in the West End.

Chinese student murder - second press conference

Northumbria Police held another press conference to give an update on their progress in the Chinese student murder investigation. Xi Zhou and her boyfriend Zhen Xing Yang were found dead in their flat on Croydon Road, Fenham, Newcastle.

[drskosha]

Terrbile affair. Does nothing for the Thousands of International students that come to the Geordie Capital.

RIP

[Rattanaburi]

If they are scammers, then IMHO justice served by their own kind of people.

[dirtydog]

Parents appeal in Chinese murder

The couple visited Northumberland's Alnwick Castle shortly before they died

The families of two Chinese students murdered in Newcastle are appealing for help to catch their killer.

The mutilated bodies of Zhen Xing Yang and girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found in their flat on 9 August.

No arrests have yet been made despite appeals to the English and Chinese communities on Tyneside and in London.

Family members of both students have flown to Newcastle from China and will make an appeal for information at a news conference on Thursday.
A reconstruction of the last known movements of Zhen Xing Yang and Xi Zhou has featured on the BBC's Crimewatch.

Callers to the programme suggested a name for a lodger who police are trying to trace.

Mr Zhen had been tortured before being stabbed to death. The couple's cat was also drowned by their killers.

BBC NEWS | UK | England | Tyne | Parents appeal in Chinese murder

[English Noodles]

[kingwilly]

hmmm, does sound like rough justice,

[momo8]

RIP.

There is more to this story than meets the eye. I don't think they will ever find the perpetrators in a hurry if the killers were Chinese.

[Mid]

Three held in double murder probe
Thursday, 23 October 2008


Xi Zhou and Zhen Xing Yang had studied at Newcastle University

Three men have been arrested on suspicion of the murder of a Chinese couple in Newcastle.

The mutilated bodies of Zhen Xing Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found in their flat on 9 August.

The Chinese men, aged 22, 30 and 33, were arrested in raids in Newcastle and Morpeth in Northumberland on Thursday.

A man and a woman were held on suspicion of assisting an offender. A further 12 people were arrested over burglary or immigration offences.

All those arrested are described as Chinese nationals.

Det Supt Steve Wade, who is leading the investigation, said: "A series of arrests have been made in connection with the murder investigation.

"Searches at the address are currently being carried out and those arrested are being questioned throughout today.


Victim tortured

"It is early stages and we have a lot of work to do but this is a positive development.

"Both families have been informed of these developments."

The two raids in Newcastle's West End, in Dilston Road and Stanton Street, took place just streets away from the couple's flat in Croydon Road.

A raid also took place at a property in Bournmoor, County Durham.

The couple were found dead in separate bedrooms at the downstairs flat by friends.

Mr Zhen was tortured for more than an hour before being stabbed to death.

Examinations also showed Miss Xi may have been asphyxiated as well as stabbed during the attack.

The couple's cat was also drowned by their killers. The last known sighting of either of the victims alive was a CCTV image showing Miss Xi arriving home from work on 7 August. Several witnesses reported seeing three men outside the couple's home an hour later.

news.bbc.co.uk

[EmperorTud]

Immigrant crime is rampant in the UK.

It makes up a disproportionately large part of crime as a whole.

[Mr Pot]

Sickening attack very rough justice IMO, tho they certianly shouldn't have foked with the wrong people who were way out of their league.

[English Noodles]

Immigrant crime is rampant in the UK. It makes up a disproportionately large part of crime as a whole.

I agree, though, as a native of 'The Toon', I have never seen a Chinese cause trouble, and I mean, never. The Triads are there in full swing, thats a fact for sure, but they keep to themselves, and never fuck with the Anglo's.

Some quite prety ones get out and about for a few drinks too.

[meepho]

Immigrant crime is rampant in the UK.

It makes up a disproportionately large part of crime as a whole.

tis true tuddy

i hope you are in thailand as you make this statement, because if you tell the truth and blame immigration in GB you are then put in to one of the following catagories : racist, homophobic, a nationalist, intolerant, biggot. member of the bnp anything but a realist.

[Red dragon]

Televised matches

"We are currently investigating this as a possible motive for the killings."
One line of inquiry involves claims Mr Zhen recruited spectators online to send live updates from UK football matches.

It is claimed syndicates in China, where matches are televised a minute behind, could take advantage of this.

They were only ripping their own people off, nice idea to make a few quid but surely the guys who were taking the bets got a bit suspicious that every time some c*nt placed a bet the team they bet on scored within a minute!!!!!
They were laughing while it lasted, but he who laughs last laughs loudest and all that