One of Britain's most prolific sexual predators could face further charges, as prosecutors examine rape and abuse claims related to seven more women.
Zhenhao Zou, 28, was jailed last year for life with a minimum of 24 years for drugging and assaulting 10 victims. Engineering PhD student Zou befriended fellow Chinese nationals online before inviting them for drinks at his flats in London or an unknown location in China.
Zou filmed some attacks and kept a trophy box of victim mementos. Only three of the 10 victims he was convicted of attacking have been identified, but police fear he could have targeted more than 60. Detectives appealed for women to come forward after he was jailed at Inner London Crown Court.
Evidence file submitted to CPS
Now a file submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) contains evidence of alleged rape and administering a substance with intent to commit a sexual offence.
It relates to reports made by five women who contacted police following the appeal, as well as two further alleged offences of rape involving two unidentified women. A charging decision has not been made and detectives continue to liaise with the CPS as prosecutors consider the evidence.
Separate enquiries continue into allegations involving women who were allegedly sexually assaulted in China. British detectives are working to obtain evidence through formal international legal processes.
Police appeal for more victims
Det Chief Supt Angela Craggs said: "I would like to thank the women who have come forward and spoken to our officers since our appeal. We recognise how difficult it can be to report offences of this nature and every woman who has contacted us has shown considerable courage."
"The submission of this file of evidence marks a significant step in our investigation. While we await a decision from the CPS in relation to allegations concerning women in the UK, our enquiries remain ongoing."
"We remain committed to supporting victim-survivors and pursuing all available lines of enquiry. I would encourage anyone who believes they may have been affected, or anyone with information that could assist our investigation, to contact us."
"Every report will be treated seriously, handled with care and sensitivity, and investigated thoroughly by specially trained officers."
Zou's crimes and sentencing
Zou's crimes began to emerge in November 2023, when a woman went to police. There was not enough evidence to charge him over the claim, but when his phone was examined, officers found videos of him raping unconscious women.
Pipettes and drugs including ketamine, Xanax and MDMA were later discovered in his London flat. After a month-long trial, Zou was found guilty of raping three women in London and another seven in China between 2019 and 2023.
He was convicted of 11 counts of rape, with two of the offences relating to one victim.
Zou was also convicted of three counts of voyeurism, 10 of possession of an extreme pornographic image, one of false imprisonment and three of possession of a controlled drug with intent to commit a sexual offence. Sentencing him, Judge Rosina Cottage said Zou, who most recently lived in Elephant and Castle, South London, planned and executed a campaign of rape, treating women as sex toys for his own pleasure.
Reports can be made by emailing survivors@met.police.uk or by calling 101 from within the UK, quoting CAD1258/04SEP26.
