Dozens of Women Report Attacks by Convicted Serial Rapist Zhenhao Zou

More than 20 women have come forward to law enforcement, expressing concerns that they may have been victims of convicted serial rapist Zhenhao Zou. Authorities fear the true number of victims could be significantly higher.

Zou, 28, was convicted last month of raping three women in London and seven in China between 2019 and 2024. A former PhD student in London, Zou now faces the possibility of a second criminal trial, according to senior law enforcement officials.

Investigators revealed that Zou meticulously documented many of his assaults, with recovered video footage serving as crucial evidence in securing his conviction. Most of his victims were drugged, leaving them with little or no memory of the attacks.

Detectives recovered 58 videos depicting the assaults, many of which featured unidentified victims. Following Zou’s conviction, the Metropolitan Police issued a public appeal for additional victims to come forward. Within just four weeks, 23 women responded, citing experiences that aligned with Zou’s known pattern of assault.

Of the 23 new complainants, 22 had not previously been identified by law enforcement. Some incidents reported were not captured on video, further intensifying concerns that Zou’s crimes may be far more extensive than initially believed. Given Zou’s outwardly charismatic demeanor and privileged background, police suspect he may have assaulted more than 60 women.

Over half of the women who recently came forward allege that they were attacked in London, where Zou pursued postgraduate studies in engineering at University College London.

Metropolitan Police Commander Kevin Southworth acknowledged the growing scale of the case, noting that the surge in reports following Zou’s conviction supports fears about the extent of his offenses.

“This case is unfolding exactly as we feared,” Southworth stated. “That 23 women have come forward in such a short time speaks volumes about the scale of his crimes.”

With Zou’s sentencing scheduled for June 19, law enforcement anticipates additional victims may step forward. Further charges remain a possibility, and authorities are prepared for the potential of multiple additional trials. The case has been transferred to the Metropolitan Police’s complex casework unit, with investigations expected to continue for months, if not years.

The majority of the most recent complainants, like Zou’s known victims, are believed to be of Chinese heritage and have alleged assaults occurring either in London or China. These individuals are now spread across the globe, residing in regions including North and South America and Europe.

Evidence presented at Zou’s trial painted a harrowing picture of his crimes. Many of his victims were unconscious or severely incapacitated due to the drugs he administered. Some of the footage shown in court was so distressing that jurors were reportedly brought to tears.

During the trial, Zou claimed to have engaged in sexual relations with five women per month. Originally arriving in the UK in 2017 to study at Queen’s University Belfast, he later enrolled at UCL in 2019, continuing his studies until his arrest in January 2024.

Zou resided in London, first near Woburn Place and later in the Elephant and Castle area. His modus operandi often involved inviting women to his residence for drinks, which he would secretly spike before committing his assaults.

As investigations continue, authorities remain committed to ensuring justice for all of Zou’s victims and urge anyone with information to come forward.