Our reporter Liu Yiming and correspondent Ye Lizeng reported: While in the act of soliciting prostitution, they "happened" to encounter "police" who burst in, took photos, made records, and demanded high amounts of "bail". From February to March last year within just over 20 days, 11 victims reported being extorted by these "police", with the highest amount reaching up to 80,000 yuan.
Yesterday, the Chancheng District Court announced to the media that these so-called "police" were actually repeat offenders with prior convictions for robbery and fraud. The court sentenced the five defendants to fixed-term imprisonment ranging from four and a half years to eight years on charges of impersonating officials.
The public security authorities found that between February 25th and March 16th last year, within just over 20 days, there were already 11 cases involving the fraud of "bail". Among the victims, the least amount defrauded was 3,000 yuan, and the highest reached up to 80,000 yuan.
On March 25th, 2009, after tracking, the police arrested Lei Maofa, Liu Xiaozuo, Lai Zhiqiang, Hu Chunhua, and Guo Hongmei in another rented house at No. 301, Building 4, Anhuai Street, Chancheng District. They also seized fake police certificates, fake seals, handcuffs, and other tools used in their crimes, successfully dismantling this gang of impostors pretending to be police officers conducting anti-prostitution crackdowns.
All three male defendants have criminal records.
Upon review by the court, it was found that these five defendants had clearly defined roles. During the commission of the crime, Hu Chunhua and Guo Hongmei, the two female defendants, lured the victims to the crime scene under the pretext of "massage". Liu Xiaozuo was responsible for keeping watch downstairs. Lei Maofa and Lai Zhiqiang would then burst into the room claiming to be police officers, taking photos of the victims, making inquiry records, and demanding "guarantee money" on the grounds that the victims were caught in the act of soliciting prostitution. The fake police certificates of the three male defendants were bought by Guo Hongmei.
The court further determined that all three male defendants had prior criminal records.
During the trial, all five defendants admitted to the facts charged by the prosecution without objection. The court sentenced the five defendants to fixed-term imprisonment ranging from four and a half years to eight years on charges of impersonating officials.