English
A serial rapist convicted last month of attacking 10 women in the United Kingdom and China had assaulted dozens more before his arrest, police revealed on Wednesday.
London’s Metropolitan Police Service reported that 23 additional women came forward with new accusations against Zhenhao Zou after authorities issued an appeal to identify other potential victims of the man they described as a “dangerous and prolific sexual predator.”
Zou, 28, was found guilty in March of 11 counts of rape, one count of false imprisonment, three counts of voyeurism, and multiple other offenses, including possessing extreme pornographic images and possessing a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offense.
Investigators believe there may be over 50 more survivors who have not yet been identified, based on evidence, including videos found on Zou’s devices.
Some of the women who recently came forward are in the UK, while others are in China and various other countries, police said on Wednesday.
Originally from Dongguan, China, Zou had lived in multiple locations, including China, Belfast in Northern Ireland, and London.
The Metropolitan Police have urged more survivors and witnesses to come forward and contact officers through a secure portal.
According to police and prosecutors, Zou—who also used the name “Pakho” online—met other Chinese-heritage students through WeChat and dating apps. He would invite them for drinks, drug them, and then assault them in his apartments in both London and China.
Prosecutors stated that many victims were “unconscious and rendered defenseless” due to the drugs he administered. He secretly filmed some of his attacks using mobile devices and hidden cameras, the UK’s Crown Prosecution Service revealed. Police also said he stole personal items from his victims, such as jewelry and clothing.
Zou “manipulated and drugged women in the most cowardly way to prey on them,” authorities stated.
A PhD student at University College London, Zou was arrested in January 2024 after one of his victims reported him to the police.
Prosecutors praised the “courageous women who came forward to report Zhenhao Zou’s heinous crimes,” calling them “incredibly strong and brave.” They emphasized that their testimonies were crucial in securing his conviction.
Zou is scheduled to be sentenced later this year, police confirmed.
