Serial Rapist Zhenhao Zou’s Web of Victims Expands as Police Dig Deeper
Investigators are scrambling after uncovering what could be one of the biggest predatory crime scandals seen on British campuses. Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old engineering student at University College London, appeared to be just another diligent overseas student. But behind what looked like a normal life, police say he left a trail of devastation that now stretches across two continents—all revealed after chilling evidence found on his electronic devices.
He was already convicted in March 2025 on 11 counts of rape after a marathon trial at a London court—a verdict that shocked the university community and sent ripples far beyond. Now, officers are investigating a staggering 50 more potential victims, most of them young Chinese women Zou sought out online. Two women bravely came forward during the initial investigation to support the prosecution, but eight others—whose identities remain a mystery—were only discovered through disturbing videos investigators retrieved. Those faces aren’t just pixelated ghosts; they’re real people the police now have the daunting task of finding and supporting.
Zou’s devices contained what one officer called "graphic and disturbing material." The videos police recovered show victims who are clearly unconscious, with no way to consent or defend themselves. This new evidence only amps up the urgency of the case. It wasn’t just a matter of numbers. The evidence shows a methodical approach—Zou would keep personal items like jewelry and clothing, apparently as twisted mementos. Some believe these kept items could signal a pattern seen in other serial offenders who hold onto ‘trophies’ to relive their crimes.
Global Investigation Reaches Beyond London to China—and Possibly Belfast
Detectives aren’t just limiting their search to London. They’ve used flight data and careful video analysis to pinpoint locations, revealing that at least some crimes happened in China. Zou first arrived in the UK back in 2017, and his trail appears to have snaked through multiple cities. Police are also exploring whether he committed additional attacks in Belfast, where Zou studied before transferring to London. Evidence from 2017 to 2019 is now under review, so the scope of the investigation could yet grow.
Metropolitan Police Commander Kevin Southworth didn’t pull any punches when describing the situation. Calling Zou a “prolific and predatory individual,” the commander said the suspect used “the most cowardly and despicable manner” to offend against his targets. What’s harder for many to grasp is how Zou operated undetected for so long, blending into academic circles and preying on women he met mainly online—spaces where many international students seek connection and support.
The arrest itself, captured on bodycam in January 2024 from his home in South London, was swift but the journey for survivors is ongoing. Police urged any other victims to come forward, emphasizing that no tip is too small. The current working theory is that up to 60 women might have been victimized. Investigators are piecing together flight records, location data, and personal items seized from Zou to knit together a full picture that spans the UK and China.
The Zhenhao Zou case has shaken not just legal circles but also immigrant and student communities, especially young women who are more vulnerable in unfamiliar settings. Zou is set to be sentenced on June 19, 2025. But that date may just mark the midpoint, not the end, of this sprawling case, as police weigh laying dozens of new charges as more survivors and evidence come to light.
June 20 2025 0
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