The Xuhui District People's Court has jailed Wang Jiaping for 18 months and fined her 10,000 yuan (US$1,205) for swindling 23,800 yuan (US$28,789) from four women by introducing "fake" Japanese men.

The 47-year-old woman is a history-sheeter, being jailed in 1991 for harboring prostitutes and again in 1998 for cheating people with her matchmaking antics.

Wang opened Qingyuan Matchmaking Agency on Longcao Road without a license in 2000, claiming she could introduce foreigners to local women.

Her trick was simple. She asked acquaintances who had previously worked abroad to disguise them-selves as Japanese looking for suitable brides.

If the women expressed interest in any of the men, Wang would charge each of them 5,000 yuan (US$605) as registration and introduction fees. After meeting the fake Japanese once, the women would be told that the foreigner wasn't satisfied.

Court officials warned spouse-seekers to check the veracity of the agency. Also, they should sign service contracts with the agency to protect their rights.

"People should have a proper idea when looking for a spouse. If you are only after a rich suitor, it is easy to be cheated," said Hou Rongkang, court spokesman.

(eastday.com October 31, 2002)