THURSDAY, March 28, 2024
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Man accused of killing wife in Bt143m insurance scam

Man accused of killing wife in Bt143m insurance scam

A Chinese man from Tianjin is alleged to have murdered his wife during a family vacation in Phuket after buying up more than 30 million yuan (Bt143 million) worth of life insurance policies in her name.

Man accused of killing wife in Bt143m insurance scam

Man accused of killing wife in Bt143m insurance scam
A Chinese man from Tianjin is alleged to have murdered his wife during a family vacation in Phuket after buying up more than 30 million yuan (Bt143 million) worth of life insurance policies in her name.
Zhang Weifan took his wife, nicknamed Xiaojie, and their 20-month-old daughter to Phuket at the end of October.
On the third day, Xiaojie’s parents received a call from Zhang saying their daughter had drowned in a private pool at the couple’s luxury hotel.
Xiaojie’s parents were suspicious because she was a good swimmer and after he returned to Tianjin he was confronted by Zhang’s parents, who insisted that he accom
 pany them back to Phuket.
They found Xiaojie’s body covered in bruises and reported Zhang to the police. Under questioning, Zhang admitted drowning his wife, it is claimed.
Xiaojie’s parents found that in the months leading up to the trip, Zhang had bought more than 12 life insurance policies on his wife, which amounted to more than 30 million yuan. Zhang was the sole beneficiary.
The parents said they found Zhang had pretended to have a job but was actually unemployed. Around 158 gigabytes of pornography was also found on his computers.

Man accused of killing wife in Bt143m insurance scam
He is now in custody at Phuket Provincial Court. 
Kamala police chief Colonel Somkit Boonrat said, “After we questioned Zhang he admitted to killing his wife.
“Now he is in custody at the Phuket Provincial Court while an investigation is being conducted, which is expected to be completed before December 21.
“We have received more information from the Chinese Consulate about the life insurance. If we find that Zhang killed his wife to collect the insurance, he will face a heavier charge of intent to murder.” 
Xiaojie’s parents are now seeking Zhang’s extradition, believing it is more likely he will get the death penalty they are demanding in China. 

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