A London PhD student, in the United Kingdom, Zhenhao Zou, 27, has been convicted as one of Britain’s most prolific sex offenders after being found guilty of raping unconscious women and filming the assaults.
Zou lured victims through dating apps and social media chat groups under the guise of academic study sessions before drugging and attacking them.
His crimes surfaced when two survivors came forward, prompting a Metropolitan Police investigation that uncovered extensive footage of Zou assaulting unconscious victims.
Commander Kevin Southworth of Scotland Yard said, “He could be one of the most dangerous, prolific sex offenders we have seen in British history.”
A jury at Inner London Crown Court found him guilty of 11 counts of rape, along with voyeurism, false imprisonment, and drug possession with intent to commit sexual offences.
Investigators suspected Zou may have assaulted at least 50 women. Southworth warned, “What we may eventually get may take us into a whole different level of offending.”
Police have launched a hotline for potential victims and released images of “souvenirs” found in his Elephant and Castle apartment, hoping others will come forward.
Judge Rosina Cottage KC labeled Zou a “dangerous and predatory sexual offender” and cautioned, “He needs to be under no doubt that the sentence will be very long.”
His crimes extended beyond the UK, with eight assaults occurring in China. Since arriving in the UK in 2017, he lived in high-end accommodations, including a £4,000-a-month rented apartment in London.
Police discovered a stash of drugs such as MDMA, GHB, Ketamine, and Xanax, believed to have been used to incapacitate victims.
His bedroom was rigged with hidden cameras. One survivor recalled, “I didn’t even know how should I start talking about this.” She reported him after seeing a social media post from another woman with a similar experience.
Jurors endured distressing footage of Zou pressuring women into drinking large amounts of alcohol before they lost consciousness.
Investigators also found he had a fixation on “time-stop” pornography. When questioned, he admitted, “I like for the girls to be still and quiet when they are having sex.”
His online activity revealed meticulous planning, with thousands of messages exchanged across dating apps like Bumble and WeChat.
Detectives are now combing through 1,660 hours of footage and nine million messages. Detective Superintendent Vanessa Britton noted, “He came across in interviews as really self-assured… but the evidence shows him in a completely different light.”
Police were unable to extend their investigation to China but secured his conviction based on overwhelming evidence found in London.
His crimes have drawn comparisons to notorious offenders like Reynhard Sinaga. Southworth emphasized, “The deceitful, calculating, predatory nature of what Zou has done is fairly unprecedented.”
UCL President Dr. Michael Spence condemned the crimes, saying, “We have been appalled by these horrific offences. Our thoughts are with the survivors, and we pay tribute to the bravery of the women who reported these crimes.”
The university has set up 24/7 confidential support lines and mental health services.
Saira Pike of the Crown Prosecution Service praised the survivors’ bravery. “Zou is a serial rapist and a danger to women. The prosecution team worked tirelessly to piece together an unprecedented amount of footage and web chats showing his meticulous planning and horrifying crimes.”
During his trial, Zou revealed a lavish lifestyle funded by his wealthy family in China, with designer clothing, luxury accessories, and multiple cosmetic procedures, including a hair transplant and chin implants. Despite denying all charges, his conviction was secured through extensive video and digital evidence.
Zou’s sentencing is set for June 19, with legal experts predicting multiple life terms. “Clearly, the evidence and videos show him in a completely different light,” said Britton. Authorities are now working to identify more victims and provide them with necessary support.
The Metropolitan Police urge anyone who believes they may have been targeted by Zou to come forward. “This case has sent shockwaves through the UK,” said Southworth. “It highlights the dangers of predatory offenders who exploit technology and social platforms to commit crimes.”
