Investor Spent 9 Years & $1.9M Hunting Fraudster Ex-Wife

A Chinese investor, Li Ping, has revealed his extensive nine-year effort to track down his ex-wife, Zhang Shudan, after she allegedly defrauded him and fled to the United States. Li claims the ordeal cost him approximately 13 million yuan (about US$1.9 million).

Their relationship began in 2014, with Zhang allegedly researching Li's financial background before they married in March 2015. Shortly after their marriage, Zhang disappeared with substantial funds and property documents, fleeing to Los Angeles. Li's suspicions were further fueled when he learned investigators believed Zhang had tampered with his car's brakes, an act he interpreted as a murder attempt.

Li's determination led him to offer a US$1 million reward and engage private investigators and lawyers in both China and the US. His efforts culminated in Zhang's location in Los Angeles.

In 2020, a Shenzhen court annulled their marriage and returned properties to Li. Subsequently, in 2024, a California court sentenced Zhang to 65 years in prison for 23 offenses, including fraud and human trafficking.