More than 20 women have reported allegations against a Chinese student in London, who was recently convicted of drugging and raping 10 women in Britain and China. The Metropolitan Police in London stated that 23 women have come forward with new allegations about Zou Zhenhao, a 28-year-old Ph.D. student at University College London between 2019 and 2024. These women reside in various countries, including Britain and China.
During his trial earlier this year, the court heard that Zou would lure women to his apartments in London and China, where he would drug and rape them. He targeted Chinese students in London, often meeting them at parties and through dating apps such as Bumble, WeChat, and Little Red Book.
On March 5, a jury found Zou guilty of 11 counts of rape, as well as charges related to possessing drugs for use in sexual assault, voyeurism, and extreme pornography. Two women testified against him, but eight remain unidentified. Due to the women being drugged, the police believe they may have no memory of the events. They have now issued a public appeal for more victims to come forward.
Following his arrest in January 2024, police found hundreds of videos on Zou’s devices depicting him raping and sexually assaulting multiple women. They also examined thousands of gigabytes of data detailing a pattern of Zou’s crimes. Zou would offer women drinks laced with substances such as butanediol, a date rape drug, before sexually assaulting them while unconscious and filming the act.
The women’s faces were often obscured in the videos, making identification difficult. However, investigators found items of jewelry and clothing in Zou’s apartment. It is believed Zou used the same tactics in China, with some attacks occurring there as well. British authorities collaborated with Chinese counterparts to locate one witness.
Before studying in London, Zou attended Queen’s University in Belfast, Northern Ireland. Police Commander Kevin Southworth described Zou as a dangerous sexual predator who manipulated and drugged women to prey on them.
The police continue to encourage women who think they may have been attacked by Zou to come forward. A judge will sentence Zou on June 19.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/02/world/europe/zou-zhenhao-women-rapist.html
