Shaoxing police arrest two in gold theft and fraud case

Police in Shaoxing, Zhejiang province, have arrested two individuals following a gold theft and subsequent fraud. A woman identified as Li stole a gold bracelet from her long-time friend, Lu, while staying at Lu's home. Li attempted to sell the stolen item to a gold buyer named Sheng via an online platform.

During the transaction, Sheng allegedly manipulated an electronic scale to show a lower weight, reducing the recorded weight of the 38-gram bracelet to 26 grams. This allowed Sheng to pocket an additional 7,000 NDT. Both Li and Sheng were apprehended after Lu reported the theft to authorities.

The incident has prompted discussions regarding juvenile crime trends in China. According to a 2024 report from the Supreme People's Procuratorate, Chinese procuratorial organs reviewed 101,526 cases involving minors, with theft being the most common offense, accounting for 33,519 cases.