Internet betting scam link to student murders
- 00:01:19
- ITN
Internet betting scam link to student murders
One of the victims of a brutal double murder may have been involved in an international internet betting scam. Zhen Xing Yang and his girlfriend Xi Zhou, both 25, were found dead with horrific head injuries in their flat in Newcastle's West End on Saturday. There is evidence Mr Yang, known as Kevin, was tortured for up to an hour before he died from a combination of wounds. The couple's cat is also thought to have been drowned by their killers. It can be revealed that Mr Yang placed adverts on UK-based Mandarin-language websites, recruiting people to watch football matches around the world. In one he wrote: "It is a very simple job, any student who is interested, please contact Zhenxing Yang," listing an email address. An ad posted under the name CICI--UK, his girlfriend's nickname, on the powerappple website last October, said: "Work: watch football games and send live information to people. "Requirement: Basic understanding of football rules, no professional background needed, advantage if you have a car. "Location: Sheffield, London, Blackpool, Portsmouth, York, Hull and many other places." One theory they discussed online was that football matches shown on TV in China were a minute behind the live action in the stadium, so gambling syndicates would place employees at games to gain an advantage. So many people were recruited to watch live games that the gambling bosses needed agents to manage them. Police have not been able to find any occupation for Mr Yang since he completed his MA from Newcastle University in September 2006. A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We continue to look into the lifestyle of both victims and internet websites form part of this investigation.
ITN | August 15, 2008
