A Chinese woman was apprehended after it came to light that she had posed as her friend’s internet boyfriend to deceive her into sending money

A Chinese woman was apprehended after it came to light that she had posed as her friend’s internet boyfriend to deceive her into sending money.

The scheme started after one of the women’s mother made a joke about marriages and financial troubles. The woman, identified as Ms. Li, was allegedly cheated for $290,000 over 12 years by her acquaintance Ms. Yu, who pretended to be a well-known TV host on social media, according to Shanghai police.

Ms. Yu told the police that when she was younger, Ms. Li’s mother remarked on her, saying she wouldn’t be able to find a husband because she wasn’t attractive enough and didn’t have a solid financial history.