Fact Check: "Zhenhao Zou drugged and raped at least 60 victims from 2019 to 2024."
What We Know
Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese national and former PhD student, was convicted of drugging and raping women in both London and China. He was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 24 years for raping 10 identified victims, which includes three women in London and seven in China between September 2019 and May 2023 (BBC, The Guardian). The court proceedings revealed that Zou filmed nine of these rapes and kept a trophy box of women's belongings. Following his conviction, police indicated that they feared he could have targeted many more women, with 24 additional potential victims coming forward after the trial (BBC, The Guardian).
Analysis
The claim that Zhenhao Zou drugged and raped at least 60 victims is partially true. While he was convicted of raping 10 women, the police have stated that they believe he may have targeted dozens more, as indicated by the emergence of 24 additional potential victims after his sentencing (BBC, The Guardian). However, there is no confirmed evidence or legal documentation that supports the figure of 60 victims. The police's concerns about the potential for more victims do not equate to confirmed cases of assault.
The sources reporting on Zou's case, including major news outlets like the BBC and The Guardian, are generally reliable. They provide detailed accounts of the court proceedings and the statements made by police and prosecutors, which lend credibility to the information presented. However, the figure of 60 victims appears to be speculative at this stage, as it is based on the fear of police rather than confirmed cases.
Conclusion
The claim that Zhenhao Zou drugged and raped at least 60 victims from 2019 to 2024 is partially true. While he has been convicted of raping 10 women, the assertion of 60 victims is not substantiated by confirmed evidence. The police's ongoing investigation and the emergence of additional potential victims suggest a broader pattern of predatory behavior, but until more victims are officially identified and confirmed, the claim remains speculative.
