A man in China was left stunned after discovering that the woman he married following just a five-minute video call was burdened with debts amounting to 100,000 yuan (about RM60,000).
According to South China Morning Post, the 32-year-old man, identified as Gu, had turned to a matchmaking agency after reportedly being pressured by his parents to get married quickly.
He initially paid 200 yuan (around RM120) for local matchmaking services, but after three unsuccessful introductions, the agent suggested he consider women from other regions. He was then introduced to a 30-year-old woman in April.
Based on the profile provided, the woman was said to have no outstanding debts, criminal record, or serious health conditions. The arrangement quickly progressed, with both parties agreeing to move forward with marriage preparations.
Gu later held a brief video call with the woman, which lasted about five minutes. However, most of the conversation was reportedly handled by the matchmaker, with limited direct interaction between the couple.
Shortly after, Gu and his family agreed to proceed with the marriage, eventually spending 265,000 yuan (about RM159,000) to bring the woman to his home for the wedding.
Just three days later, the couple was married. However, doubts began to surface when the promised background reports from the agency were not delivered.
Suspicious, Gu later brought his wife to a bank to check her credit record, where it was revealed that she had debts totalling 100,000 yuan (around RM60,000). The woman claimed the debt belonged to her former boyfriend.
Further inconsistencies emerged when Gu discovered that the name used on her mobile payment account differed from the identity initially presented to him.
On the day after the wedding, the woman also informed Gu that she had elevated liver enzyme levels but assured him it would not affect her fertility.
Nine days into the marriage, Gu filed for divorce, bringing the brief union to an abrupt end.
The woman later sued Gu, claiming the divorce caused her emotional distress and seeking compensation of 50,000 yuan (about RM30,000). In response, Gu also filed a lawsuit against the matchmaking agency to recover his payments, but his claim was rejected as the agency argued he had deliberately initiated the divorce to reclaim his money.
