Dangerous Chinese sexual predator Zou convicted of drugging, raping 10 women

A Chinese student who drugged and raped multiple women in both the UK and China has been convicted following one of the Metropolitan Police’s most complex investigations.

Zhenhao Zou, 28, of Churchyard Row, Elephant and Castle, was found guilty on Wednesday, 5 March, of 28 offences, including 11 counts of rape involving 10 women. A jury at Inner London Crown Court delivered the verdict after a five-and-a-half-week trial. Zou is scheduled for sentencing on Thursday, 19 June.

Detectives believe Zou’s crimes extend far beyond the identified victims and are now appealing to additional survivors to come forward and seek specialist support.

According to Met Police, investigators suspect that at least 50 more women might have been targeted by Zou, many of whom remain unidentified. While two victims have come forward, eight others included in the conviction remain unknown.

Zou, originally from Dongguan in China’s Guangdong Province, has been in the UK since 2017. He studied at Queen’s University Belfast before enrolling at University College London (UCL) in 2019. Using online platforms and dating apps, Zou lured women to his residences in central London and Elephant and Castle under the pretense of studying or socialising.

Once inside, he drugged them with butanediol, a substance that converts into GHB, rendering them unconscious. Zou then filmed himself raping and sexually assaulting them. Police discovered a collection of victims’ belongings, including jewellery and clothing, in his possession.

The case against Zou was built after a victim came forward, prompting police to raid his residence.

They recovered butanediol, ketamine, hidden cameras, and a trove of digital evidence, including laptops and mobile phones.

Detectives uncovered six and a half trillion bytes of data, comprising around nine million WeChat messages, alongside hundreds of videos documenting Zou’s crimes. Translation efforts confirmed that his offences extended to China.

Authorities collaborated with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security to facilitate testimony from a survivor in China. The investigation also involved the Crown Prosecution Service, National Crime Agency, and the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office.

Now that legal proceedings allow, the Metropolitan Police is calling on anyone who may have encountered Zou to come forward.

Specialist officers are offering confidential support and guidance, particularly for women from the Chinese student community in London between 2019 and 2024.

Investigators are also seeking potential victims from Zou’s time in China. Women may have interacted with him via WeChat, Little Red Book, Bumble, or other online platforms and could have visited his residences at Woburn Place or Churchyard Row.

Detectives acknowledge that some victims may be unaware they were assaulted due to the effects of the drug and stress that support is available for those struggling with the revelations of this case. The charity Rape Crisis is also providing independent assistance for those who prefer not to engage with the police.

Authorities are also appealing to witnesses who may have met Zou at social events or spoken to him online and have concerns.

Commander Kevin Southworth, head of public protection at the Met, described Zou as a “dangerous and prolific sexual predator” who used manipulation and drugging to commit his crimes.

“I commend the bravery of the two women who gave evidence in court—their courage has been remarkable,” Southworth said.

“We urge anyone who has concerns about Zou to come forward. Support is available from the police as well as independent organisations.”

Recognising the impact of the case, particularly among Chinese students in London, police are working with community partners to ensure access to specialist advice and protection.