A former subway station security guard has been sentenced to eight years in prison for bilking nine people out of 450,000 yuan ($73,371) by promising to get them jobs at the metro company, among other scams, Yangpu District People's Court said Tuesday.

The defendant, surnamed Chen, was charged with swindling, according to a court press release.

In June 2011, Chen convinced a colleague to pay him 20,000 yuan to get him transferred to a security guard post, the court said. Chen told the colleague that he needed the money to "smooth connections." Even though he never actually got the colleague transferred, he was able to pull the same scam on another coworker in May 2012, this time asking for 25,000 yuan.

In China, positions in State-owned enterprises are coveted for their good benefits and perceived stability.

Using the same approach, Chen swindled 58,000 yuan from an unemployed resident who was eager to get a job and another 280,000 yuan from acquaintances including his girlfriend's brother. Last September, Chen cheated an old army buddy out of 40,000 yuan by promising to get him high returns on an investment in short-term credit.

Chen also targeted his neighbors. One neighbor, who often offered Chen rides to work, gave 20,000 yuan to Chen to get him a job at the metro.

As more and more of his friends, coworkers and acquaintances realized that they had been duped, they began to pressure Chen to keep his promises. Feeling that he could no longer keep up the charade, Chen turned himself in to police in October.

He told authorities that he had spent all of the money on himself, except for a portion he used to pay for his father's medical expenses.

The court reminded residents that Shanghai's subway company only recruits from sub-district offices and universities. It never accepts personal introductions or referrals. 

The court said it gave Chen a lenient sentence because he confessed to the crime.

Global Times