Fake Buddhist monk sentenced to life in prison for mafia-style crimes, rape and robbery

A fake Buddhist monk in Jilin province has been sentenced to life in prison for organizing mafia-style organizations, rape and robbery, ThePaper.cn, a Shanghai-based media outlet, reported on Tuesday.

The verdict was handed down in the first instance trial by the Baicheng Intermediate People's Court in Jilin province.

The court found that the suspect, identified as Wei Gang, and his accomplices disguised themselves as Buddhist monks and operated out of temples in several provinces. They deceived local people through organized fraudulent activities, amassing significant illegal gains.

Wei's gang, with him at its head, evolved into a structured and multi-leveled mafia-style organization that used coercion and violence to bully and oppress local people.

Wei, 52, from Anhui province, seized control of two temples in Jilin through violence when he was 37 years old.

At the time of Wei's arrest, his gang controlled three additional temples in Anhui and Shaanxi provinces, from which they stole incense offerings and charitable donations.

The gang not only embezzled temple funds but also enlisted the support of several officials, including Cai Jingchen, former vice-mayor of Taonan, Jilin province, and Zhang Wenju, former Party chief of the development and reform bureau in Taonan. Both officials have been removed from their posts.

Under Wei's influence, these officials abandoned their faith and embraced superstition, believing in supernatural beings. Wei demanded that officials publicly kneel before him, referring to him as their master and providing assistance and support to his criminal activities.

Wei also exploited claims of curing cancers and other superstitious activities to collect substantial sums of money. He was also found guilty of sexually assaulting 14 women and girls, including three minors, constituting the crime of rape.

Furthermore, Wei was found conspiring to disrupt and engage in violent activities against government institutions.

According to the verdict, Wei's gang severely disrupted the economic and social order.

Considering Wei's role in the gang, the court ruled that he should be held as the main culprit for all the crimes committed by his organization. He was sentenced to life in prison, with his political rights and personal property confiscated.

The other accomplices were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 2 years and 8 months to 17 years.