More women come forward over 'prolific' Chinese rapist

More than 20 additional women have come forward to report potential sexual assaults by Zhenhao Zou, a Chinese student convicted of raping 10 women in London, police said Wednesday. The latest developments come after an international appeal for victims to step forward.

Zou, 28, was found guilty on March 5 of 28 charges, including multiple counts of rape, voyeurism, and false imprisonment. He targeted young Chinese women, luring them to his flat under the pretense of studying or socializing before drugging and assaulting them. He filmed some of the attacks using hidden or handheld cameras.

London’s Metropolitan Police say they have evidence suggesting Zou may have targeted more than 50 women, with new reports coming from various countries. “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,” said Met Commander Kevin Southworth.

Of the 10 victims identified in his trial, only two have been named, raising fears that many more remain unidentified. Since Zou's conviction, 23 potential victims have contacted police, with reports coming from different parts of the world, including China.

Zou previously studied in Belfast before moving to London in 2019, and police remain "open-minded" about whether he committed similar crimes elsewhere. Officers are now compiling additional evidence for submission to prosecutors following his sentencing on June 19.