Latest news

Authorities in Pingdingshan city, Central China’s Henan Province, issued an investigation report on a case in which a woman claimed her uncle fraudulently registered a marriage using her deceased mother’s ID. The news sparked public controversy. 

According to the report issued by the joint investigation team of Pingdingshan city, a woman surnamed Sun recently posted online saying that her mother was processed for household registration, an ID card and a marriage registration after she died, which has drawn widespread public attention. 

Pingdingshan authorities formed a joint investigation team on March 5, 2026, launching an upgraded investigation through document reviews, field visits, expert consultations and interviews with those involved. 

Through the investigation, the authorities found that Sun’s mother, surnamed Zhao, had two siblings, a brother and a sister. Zhao got married in February 1998 and gave birth to her daughter in May 1999. Zhao got divorced in November 2000 with her daughter in her care. 

On November 27, 2008, Zhao suddenly fell ill and was rushed to hospital. She was diagnosed with several serious diseases including sepsis, toxic hepatitis and toxic encephalopathy. A neighbor informed her sibling sister at her request. Zhao passed away on December 3. 

By the time Zhao passed away, she had 17 bank accounts with a total overdraft of 33,407.02 yuan ($4,833.32). She also owned three properties and had paid into a pension insurance scheme. 

Investigators found that on December 19, 2008, Zhao’s brother, who served as an official from the local political and legal affairs committee, concealed her death and, through the then-inspection chief of the Lushan County Public Security Bureau, had staff illegally register household transfers for Zhao and her daughter Sun. 

On January 13, 2009, Zhao’s brother arranged for his girlfriend, surnamed Ma, to fraudulently obtain Zhao’s ID using Ma’s own photo, aiming to continue pension payments for future fraudulent claims.

On January 25, Zhao’s brother and his girlfriend used Zhao’s ID card and household documents to fraudulently register a marriage at the civil affairs department. They later abandoned plans to continue contributions or claim the pension, for fear of legal consequences. 

On Mar 18, 2014, Zhao’s brother canceled her household registration, invalidating her ID and marriage certificate, and withdrew 11,388.05 yuan from her pension account, giving it to their father. 

Sun also has disputes with her aunt regarding her upbringing expenses from 2009 to 2019, as well as the proceeds from her aunt’s sale of her mother’s property, repayment of loans, personal bank overdrafts, and hospitalization costs. Both parties will resolve the issues through negotiation or legal channels. 

Investigators have found no evidence that Zhao’s siblings had misappropriated her heritage. 

However, Zhao’s brother, a Party member, misused his authority to illegally process documents, resulting in serious negative impact. His actions of using Zhao’s identity information to obtain an ID card and marriage certificate constitute suspected illegal activity, but the case is beyond the statute of limitations. 

The disciplinary inspection and supervision commission of Lushan County imposed strict and severe disciplinary measures on Zhao’s brother, expelling him from the Party and removing him from his administrative position. 

Global Times