Authorities in London have uncovered what could be one of the most prolific sexual assault cases in recent history, as more victims continue to come forward against a Chinese PhD student convicted of drugging and raping multiple women. The Metropolitan Police revealed on Wednesday that 23 additional women have reached out, claiming they too may have been assaulted by 28-year-old Zhenhao Zou, who was found guilty last month of raping 10 women across the UK and China.
Zou’s horrific crimes came to light following an intensive and complex investigation by London’s Metropolitan Police—one of the most challenging cases they’ve ever handled. The convicted rapist used a sinister method to incapacitate his victims, lacing their drinks with butanediol, a chemical that converts into the powerful depressant GHB when ingested. This substance, often referred to as a "date rape drug," left the women defenseless as Zou filmed himself carrying out his assaults.
What makes this case even more shocking is the sheer scale of the evidence. Investigators believe Zou may have targeted more than 50 women, though only two of the 10 victims seen in the disturbing video footage have been identified so far. The latest 23 women to come forward span multiple locations, including the UK, China, and other countries. Police are still urging additional survivors to step forward, hoping to bring them justice.
Zou, originally from China, moved to the UK to pursue his studies. Between 2017 and 2019, he attended university in Belfast, Northern Ireland, before relocating to London. While no reports have surfaced from Belfast yet, police are keeping an open mind, acknowledging the real possibility that there could be victims in that region as well. Given his calculated and widespread pattern of abuse, authorities suspect he may have committed crimes in other parts of the world, too.
Adding to the horror, police revealed that Zou kept trophies from his victims—items such as jewelry and clothing, mementos of his crimes. His predatory nature extended beyond the physical attacks, as he targeted women he met online, luring them into what they thought were casual encounters before drugging them. The fact that he meticulously recorded his assaults suggests a deeply disturbing level of premeditation.
"Given how prolific Zou seems to have been, there is every potential he could be one of the most prolific offenders that we've ever seen," stated Met Commander Kevin Southworth. "The primary places where we believe offending may have occurred at this time appear to be here in London and over in China."
Zou was arrested in South London in January 2024, and bodycam footage of the arrest has since been released by The Met. His trial resulted in a unanimous jury decision in March, convicting him on 11 counts of rape. His sentencing is set for June 19, but investigators are not stopping there—they are still compiling evidence that could be submitted even after the sentencing takes place.
Despite the conviction, authorities stress that their work is far from over. Police have issued a fresh appeal for any remaining survivors to come forward, emphasizing the importance of uncovering the full extent of Zou’s crimes. With so many potential victims still unidentified, the case continues to unfold, painting a grim picture of a highly methodical predator who operated under the radar for years.
For the survivors, justice is only beginning. The Metropolitan Police remain dedicated to ensuring every victim receives the support and recognition they deserve. As more voices join the growing list of those affected, the case against Zou only strengthens, solidifying his place as one of the most dangerous sexual predators the UK has ever seen.
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