“I wrote an IOU, this is at most an economic dispute…” Faced with police questioning, suspect Zhou Mou remained defiant, attempting to use a debt note to cover up the criminal facts. However, after a meticulous investigation by Wuhan Hongshan police, the truth behind this fraud case, which used “prestigious school internal quotas” as bait, was revealed.

In May of this year, during school enrollment registration, citizen Ms. Zeng was troubled: her daughter, who was about to enter middle school, had excellent grades, but she was dissatisfied with the assigned school. Ms. Zeng discussed this with her friend Zhou Mou, who claimed to have a friend who could help through internal channels to get her child into a well-known middle school in Wuhan, but required a facilitation fee. Anxious, Ms. Zeng agreed immediately and paid a 10,000 yuan deposit that same day. Later, Zhou Mou claimed additional expenses for hosting dinners and giving red envelopes, leading Ms. Zeng to transfer money 12 times, totaling 120,000 yuan.

By the end of August, as classmates around her were successively reporting to new schools, Ms. Zeng’s daughter still had not received an admission notice from the prestigious school. Ms. Zeng contacted Zhou Mou, but was given excuses such as “the matter is being processed, wait a bit longer.” After multiple failed negotiations and Zhou Mou’s refusal to refund the money, Ms. Zeng reported the case to the Heping Police Station of the Hongshan District Branch of the Wuhan Public Security Bureau on September 15 for assistance.

Police immediately contacted Zhou Mou to cooperate with the investigation at the station, but she insisted that “all the money received was used for facilitation.” However, when pressed for details, Zhou Mou became evasive. Finally, she slapped an IOU on the table, claiming it was an economic dispute, unrelated to fraud.

Officers noticed that every time Zhou Mou received a transfer from Ms. Zeng, she immediately transferred the money out. Police promptly went to the bank branch to obtain Zhou Mou’s bank statements. Within half an hour, clear fund flow was presented before Zhou Mou—the so-called facilitation recipient was actually her own younger brother. Faced with police questioning, Zhou Mou had no choice but to confess the criminal facts truthfully.

After investigation, it was found that Zhou Mou had previously worked as a personnel executive at a company but had been unemployed since leaving in 2017. She had previously helped arrange jobs for Ms. Zeng’s relatives. After leaving her job, she accumulated large gambling debts. Upon learning of Ms. Zeng’s worries about her daughter’s schooling, Zhou Mou used “facilitation” as a pretext to repeatedly induce transfers from Ms. Zeng. All the money received was transferred to her brother and other creditors to repay debts.

Currently, the criminal suspect Zhou Mou has been lawfully detained, and the case is under further processing.

Wuhan Hongshan police

The Wuhan Hongshan Police refers to the public security bureau serving the Hongshan District of Wuhan, China. It is a modern municipal police force responsible for law enforcement and public safety in its jurisdiction, rather than a historical or cultural site with a long history. Its establishment and operations are part of the contemporary governance structure of the city.

Heping Police Station

The Heping Police Station is a historic law enforcement building located in the Heping District of Tianjin, China. It was originally constructed during the early 20th century, reflecting the concession-era architecture of the city. Today, it continues to serve as an active police station, representing a blend of historical significance and modern civic function.

Hongshan District Branch

The Hongshan District Branch is a local administrative division in Wuhan, China, established as part of the city’s governance structure. Its history is tied to the modern development and urbanization of Wuhan, serving the needs of its resident population in the Hongshan area.

Wuhan Public Security Bureau

The Wuhan Public Security Bureau is the primary police authority for the city of Wuhan, responsible for maintaining public order and safety. Established following the foundation of the People’s Republic of China, it operates as a key local branch of China’s national public security system.

prestigious school

A prestigious school is an elite educational institution with a long history of academic excellence, often founded centuries ago to educate societal leaders. These schools are characterized by selective admissions, rigorous curricula, and influential alumni networks. Many were originally established for specific religious or social groups but have evolved into globally recognized centers of learning.

well-known middle school in Wuhan

The Wuhan Foreign Languages School is a prestigious middle school established in 1964, originally founded to cultivate talented foreign language specialists for China’s diplomatic service. It is renowned for its rigorous academic programs, particularly in languages, and has a long history of producing high-achieving graduates.

IOU

I am unable to provide a summary for “IOU” as it does not refer to a recognized place or cultural site. It is commonly an abbreviation for “I Owe You,” a financial acknowledgment of debt. Please verify the name or provide more context for an accurate response.

bank branch

A bank branch is a local office of a larger financial institution, providing services like deposits, withdrawals, and loans to its community. The concept evolved in the 19th century with the expansion of commercial banking, allowing institutions to extend their geographic reach beyond a single headquarters. Today, while digital banking is growing, branches remain important physical hubs for customer service and local economic activity.