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December 06, 2025
In Depth: The Celestial Con Man Who Created a Multimillion Dollar Pyramid Scheme in China
Before his detention, Zheng Feng presented himself as a wonder of the ages, a man who could command the clouds and rain, make the sun shine, and instantly teach the uninitiated the arts of dance, swordplay and music. He claimed to heal the body, clear core energy channels in a flash, and grant his followers eternal youth and health. Zheng was, some of his disciples recalled him saying, the brother of the mythical Jade Emperor and son of a primeval deity, a celestial being who had once mended the sky itself.... Read more
**In Depth: The Celestial Con Man Who Created a Multimillion Dollar Pyramid Scheme in China**
Zheng Feng, now in detention, built a vast and lucrative empire in China based on claims of divine power and extraordinary abilities. Before his fall from grace, he cultivated an image of a modern-day miracle worker, a figure capable of manipulating the very forces of nature. He promised his followers the impossible: control over the weather, instant mastery of complex skills, and ultimately, eternal life.
Zheng's elaborate charade rested on the foundation of a pyramid scheme, where new recruits funded the extravagant lifestyle and promises made to earlier members. He presented himself as a conduit to the divine, a being touched by the heavens and capable of bestowing blessings upon those who believed in him – and, crucially, invested in his organization.
His claims were nothing short of fantastical. He boasted of commanding clouds and rain, conjuring sunshine at will, and granting instant expertise in dance, swordplay, and music to complete novices. Furthermore, he promised to heal ailments, clear blocked energy channels within the body with a mere touch, and deliver the coveted prize of eternal youth and perfect health.
To solidify his image as a supernatural entity, Zheng crafted a compelling personal mythology. According to some of his former disciples, he claimed to be no less than the brother of the Jade Emperor, a central figure in Chinese mythology, and the son of an even more ancient and powerful deity. He even went so far as to suggest he was a celestial being who had once played a crucial role in the creation of the world, tasked with mending the very fabric of the sky.
The full extent of Zheng Feng's fraudulent activities and the number of victims involved are still being investigated. However, it is clear that he managed to exploit the hopes and desires of many, building a multimillion-dollar enterprise on a foundation of deception and outlandish claims. His case serves as a stark reminder of the power of belief and the dangers of unchecked authority, particularly when combined with promises that are simply too good to be true. The authorities are now working to unravel the complex web of financial transactions and identify all those who were impacted by Zheng Feng's elaborate scheme.
Zheng Feng, now in detention, built a vast and lucrative empire in China based on claims of divine power and extraordinary abilities. Before his fall from grace, he cultivated an image of a modern-day miracle worker, a figure capable of manipulating the very forces of nature. He promised his followers the impossible: control over the weather, instant mastery of complex skills, and ultimately, eternal life.
Zheng's elaborate charade rested on the foundation of a pyramid scheme, where new recruits funded the extravagant lifestyle and promises made to earlier members. He presented himself as a conduit to the divine, a being touched by the heavens and capable of bestowing blessings upon those who believed in him – and, crucially, invested in his organization.
His claims were nothing short of fantastical. He boasted of commanding clouds and rain, conjuring sunshine at will, and granting instant expertise in dance, swordplay, and music to complete novices. Furthermore, he promised to heal ailments, clear blocked energy channels within the body with a mere touch, and deliver the coveted prize of eternal youth and perfect health.
To solidify his image as a supernatural entity, Zheng crafted a compelling personal mythology. According to some of his former disciples, he claimed to be no less than the brother of the Jade Emperor, a central figure in Chinese mythology, and the son of an even more ancient and powerful deity. He even went so far as to suggest he was a celestial being who had once played a crucial role in the creation of the world, tasked with mending the very fabric of the sky.
The full extent of Zheng Feng's fraudulent activities and the number of victims involved are still being investigated. However, it is clear that he managed to exploit the hopes and desires of many, building a multimillion-dollar enterprise on a foundation of deception and outlandish claims. His case serves as a stark reminder of the power of belief and the dangers of unchecked authority, particularly when combined with promises that are simply too good to be true. The authorities are now working to unravel the complex web of financial transactions and identify all those who were impacted by Zheng Feng's elaborate scheme.
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World