Chinese Couple Vanishes After Claiming Inheritance; Leaves Baby with Unpaid Nanny

In a bizarre and concerning turn of events in China, a couple vanished after informing their nanny that they were about to inherit a staggering 400 million yuan (approximately $55 million) from the wife’s deceased ex-partner. The incident has sparked widespread speculation and debate online, with many questioning the couple’s motives and the child’s welfare.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the couple entrusted their 5-month-old baby to a nanny, surnamed Yu, and promised her a monthly salary of 7,000 yuan ($1,000). The nanny also loaned the couple 50,000 yuan, believing their claims of an impending inheritance. However, the couple disappeared without paying the nanny and have been missing for over a month.

Ms. Yu expressed her distress, stating, “I gave them all my savings, but since November last year, I haven’t received my salary. They owe me and the money I borrowed from my brother. Without any income, I’m still caring for their child.”

The couple told Ms. Yu that they were in Tianjin, claiming to inherit the wealth from the wife’s former partner who had passed away a decade ago. They even showed her alleged screenshots of the inheritance, featuring gold and luxury watches, and a property ownership certificate for a hotel in Harbin’s Daowai district.

However, when Ms. Yu attempted to verify the hotel’s ownership, the staff denied any knowledge of her employers. All efforts to contact the couple have failed, leaving the nanny with significant financial losses and the responsibility of caring for the child.

The incident has ignited a heated discussion on Chinese social media platforms, with many users questioning the couple’s authenticity as parents and suspecting a scam. “Why not take the child with you if you’re going to claim a 400 million yuan inheritance?” one user questioned, while another urged, “You should report this to the police. This story has too many holes. It smells like a scam.”

The case highlights the vulnerabilities faced by individuals like Ms. Yu and raises concerns about child welfare and financial scams. Authorities are yet to comment on the situation or launch an investigation into the couple’s whereabouts and the legitimacy of their claims.