- Fugitive faked death, lived as twin for 19 years.
- Ex-girlfriend's testimony crucial in cracking case.
- Arrested in 2026, 24 years after original crime.
In a unique bid to escape arrest, a Chinese man wanted in a kidnapping and robbery case since 2002 allegedly faked his own death by swapping identities with his deceased twin brother. The fugitive, identified by his surname Chen, remained officially dead for 19 years while living under his brother's identity, until police arrested him in June 2026.
The case has now gained attention after the South China Morning Post published details of how investigators unravelled the deception on October 16.
The crime took place in September 2002 when seven suspects were involved in abducting a person and stealing cash and other valuables in Yuhuan, in the eastern Zhejiang province of China. The police arrested six suspects immediately after the crime, but Chen fled the scene. Despite large-scale search operations, authorities were unable to apprehend him for years.
In 2007, Yuhuan police received information from Anhui province that Chen had died in a road accident. His household registration was cancelled, prompting authorities to believe that the fugitive was dead and bringing the search to an end.
However, the person who died in the accident was actually Chen's elder twin brother. Chen allegedly exploited their similar appearance to assume his brother's identity and continue living under a different name.
The deception came to light in April 2026, when police discovered a clue during a routine review suggesting that a man in Anhui had been living under his deceased twin brother's identity.
Criminal investigator Long Yuwen retrieved the original 2002 case file and compared the suspect's identity, place of origin and family connections with the information received from Anhui. The similarities prompted police to form a special task force and reopen the investigation.
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Old Identity Photographs Reveal The Deception
Investigators, as cited by the China Post, travelled to Anhui to verify the information, but faced several obstacles. Chen's mother, sister and villagers maintained that the younger twin had died in the accident. Official records held by the household registration office, traffic police and funeral home also recorded his death.
Police were unable to obtain the original accident report initially, making it difficult to establish who had actually died.
Investigators then turned to archived identity photographs. Although the twins looked strikingly alike, their older identification photographs contained distinguishing features.
During the review, police discovered that just nine days after Chen was registered as dead in 2007, his supposed elder brother had applied for a name change and submitted a new identity photograph. The new image showed significant differences in facial features and expressions compared with the earlier photograph, strengthening suspicions that the identity had been switched.
Dead Twin's Ex-Girlfriend Helps Crack The Case
With Chen's close relatives refusing to cooperate, investigators tracked down his elder brother's former girlfriend, identified by her surname Deng.
Deng had reportedly been discussing marriage with Chen's elder brother before the fatal road accident. However, the relationship ended abruptly after the incident.
After police explained the circumstances and relevant legal procedures, Deng confirmed that the person who died in the accident was her boyfriend, the elder twin, and not the fugitive.
Investigators subsequently reconstructed the route taken by the elder brother before the accident and identified the location where it occurred. They eventually obtained the original accident records, which showed that on December 8, 2007, the elder brother was involved in a road accident in Langya district. The crash left two people dead and three injured.
Evidence from the accident scene, including personal belongings and statements from injured survivors, confirmed that the deceased man was Chen's elder brother.
Police also found that Chen had allegedly submitted his own driving licence during the death registration process, helping authorities register him as the person who had died. He then assumed his brother's identity and remained outside the reach of investigators for 19 years.
Fugitive Arrested After 24 Years
After piecing together the evidence, police tracked Chen to Zhuhai in China's Guangdong province and arrested him on June 4, 2026, 24 years after the original crime.
By then, he had reportedly changed his name, started a family and built an ordinary life while using his deceased brother's identity.
Following his arrest, police collected biological samples and compared them with evidence preserved from the 2002 kidnapping and robbery case. The samples reportedly matched the original evidence, further confirming his identity.
The case has been referred to prosecutors for further legal action. If convicted, Chen could face a prison sentence of three to 10 years under Chinese law.
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