A 21-year-old Chinese man identified only by his surname Jiang has been arrested for an audacious scam that involved systematically extorting hotels across eastern China using a revolting collection of props, including dead cockroaches and used condoms.
“Over 10 months, Jiang frequently stayed at hotels, sometimes checking into three or four different ones in a single day. He would exploit minor flaws or plant insects, bugs, and hair to threaten hotels with complaints or online exposure, demanding free stays or compensation,” authorities told My News.
Jiang’s unusual story began in September, when he received university enrollment funds. Instead of pursuing education, he chose to embark on a traveling spree, which would soon transform into an intricate extortion scheme.
The scam
When his travel funds were depleted, Jiang developed a “creative” approach to securing free accommodation. His modus operandi involved:
- Checking into multiple hotels daily
- Planting insects, hair, and used items in rooms
- Threatening hotels with reputation-damaging complaints
- Demanding free stays and financial compensation
Police investigation reveals shocking details
Investigating officers uncovered approximately 23 packets of staged evidence, including:
- Dead cockroaches
- Used condoms
- Strands of hair
- Other contamination props
Extensive reach of the scam
Jiang’s fraudulent activities were extensive:
- Stayed in approximately 380 hotels
- Successfully scammed 63 hotels
- Consistently received financial refunds and compensation
Hotel managers became increasingly suspicious of Jiang’s recurring complaints. One hotel manager ultimately reported him to the police after identifying a consistent pattern of extortion.
On August 8, Jiang was arrested after a hotel manager filed an official complaint, bringing his elaborate scam to an end.
Psychological insight
Experts suggest Jiang’s behavior represents an extreme form of opportunistic fraud, exploiting hospitality industry protocols and reputation management strategies.
Jiang’s case highlights the vulnerability of service industries to sophisticated personal scams and the importance of robust verification processes. His arrest serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for criminal creativity in pursuit of financial gain.
The incident underscores the need for enhanced security measures and thorough investigation protocols within the hospitality sector.