A Chinese businessman’s systematic exploitation of vulnerable women through drugging and hidden cameras exposes the dangerous reality of predators infiltrating professional networks to target innocent victims.
Story Snapshot
- Chao Xu sentenced to life imprisonment with 14-year minimum for serial sexual offenses and voyeurism
- Used recruitment business as front to target young Chinese women seeking employment in London
- Drugged victims with GHB and scopolamine, filming assaults with hidden cameras throughout his properties
- Over 20 additional women have come forward claiming they may have been secretly filmed
Predator Exploited Professional Networks to Target Vulnerable Women
Chao Xu, a 33-year-old international law graduate, operated a recruitment business specifically designed to target young Chinese women seeking employment opportunities in London. His calculated scheme exploited the trust these women placed in a seemingly legitimate businessman who promised career advancement. Xu organized networking events at prestigious locations including WeWork offices in Canary Wharf, creating a professional veneer that lowered victims’ defenses and provided access to vulnerable populations unfamiliar with UK systems and isolated from support networks.
The predator’s modus operandi involved administering incapacitating drugs including GHB and scopolamine through a cocktail he branded “Spring of Life.” Detective Superintendent Lewis Sanderson described Xu as “among the most dangerous and prolific sexual offenders we have ever encountered,” highlighting the systematic and calculated nature of his crimes. His £700,000 riverside flat in Greenwich served as a primary location for assaults, equipped with hidden surveillance cameras concealed in air fresheners, sanitary products, and throughout bedrooms, bathrooms, and wardrobes.
Hidden Camera Network Exposed Extent of Criminal Enterprise
Police investigation revealed thousands of images and videos documenting Xu’s crimes, alongside approximately six million WeChat messages that investigators continue analyzing. The extensive digital evidence demonstrates the predatory scope of his operations and suggests additional victims may yet be identified. Xu’s brazen disregard for consequences was evident in his commission of offenses “in the presence of others,” according to Judge Christopher Grout’s sentencing remarks, indicating a dangerous individual with no concern for detection or accountability.
The breakthrough in the case came when one victim unexpectedly regained consciousness during an assault at Xu’s Greenwich home, confronted him, and immediately contacted police. She provided crucial evidence including Xu’s phone and PIN, enabling authorities to uncover the full extent of his criminal enterprise. This courageous action by the victim prevented further assaults and exposed a predator who had operated with impunity across multiple London locations including London Bridge station and various professional venues.
Life Sentence Reflects Severity of Systematic Predation
Judge Christopher Grout imposed a life sentence with a 14-year minimum term, determining that Xu posed “a high risk of sexual and psychological harm to women.” This severe sentencing reflects judicial recognition of the calculated nature of Xu’s crimes and the likelihood of continued predatory behavior. The sentence ensures Xu will not be eligible for parole consideration until at least 2039, providing long-term protection for potential victims and establishing important precedent for cases involving systematic voyeurism and recording of sexual assaults.
The case exposes dangerous vulnerabilities in professional networking environments and highlights how predators exploit immigration and employment contexts to access victims. Up to 20 additional women have come forward claiming they may have been secretly filmed, suggesting the full scope of Xu’s offenses may exceed currently prosecuted charges. This demonstrates the hidden nature of such crimes and the importance of victims finding courage to report predatory behavior, knowing authorities will pursue justice aggressively.
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Chinese businessman jailed for life in London for serial sexual offences
