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A 43-year-old Chinese national, Zhang Dapeng, has been arrested in connection with a string of sexual assaults targeting Chinese women in Germany, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Consulate General in Frankfurt.
Since January 2024, four incidents were reported in cities including Frankfurt, Mannheim, and Göttingen. The suspect allegedly posed as a woman on platforms like WeChat and Xiaohongshu, responding to rental or short-term accommodation advertisements posted by victims. Upon meeting the victims, he carried out the assaults.
The investigation, led by the Hesse State Criminal Police Office in collaboration with the Federal Criminal Police Office and the Frankfurt Police, culminated in Zhang’s arrest in Groß-Gerau, Hesse. DNA evidence has reportedly confirmed his involvement in the crimes.
Zhang, an alumnus of Harbin Institute of Technology, was employed as a department head at a prominent automotive company in Germany. His LinkedIn profile has since been exposed online. Reports indicate his youngest victim was only 19 years old.
The Chinese Consulate General stated it was deeply concerned about the incidents and had been in close communication with German authorities to ensure swift justice.
The Frankfurt Prosecutor’s Office will handle the legal proceedings and plans to release updates on the case soon. German authorities have expressed their gratitude for the professional and critical support provided by Chinese law enforcement, emphasizing the importance of future collaboration.
The case has sparked outrage online, with many condemning Zhang’s actions. "He’s a disgrace to our community!" one commenter wrote. Others criticized his misuse of social platforms: "How could he exploit trust in such a vile way?"
Some also praised the swift resolution. "Kudos to the cooperation between China and Germany," one user noted, while others urged for stricter safety measures for individuals renting accommodations.
