Famous Chinese crime victim becomes subject of conspiracy theories after revealing new family

Lin Shengbin had become a symbol of national sympathy after his family died in a fire

But people began spreading rumours about the blaze after he announced the birth of a new child

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Lin Shengbin (far right) lost his family in a fire at their flat in 2017. Photo: Handout

Published: 9:00am, 5 Aug 2021Updated: 9:19am, 5 Aug 2021

Police in eastern China are investigating a man for “disturbing public order” after widespread conspiracy theories forced them to reinvestigate and reject the claims surrounding one of the country’s most famous criminal cases from the past five years.

In 2017, Lin Shengbin was away on a business trip when Mo Huanjing, the domestic helper who worked for the family, started a fire hoping that she could put it out and curry favour with the family. She wanted to then ask for a loan to pay off her gambling debts.

Lin started Tong Zhen Yi Sheng, a children’s clothing business named after his late family (pictured). Photo: Handout

The blaze got out of control and killed Lin’s wife and three children in 2017. Mo was sentenced to death for the crime in February 2018.

In the aftermath, Lin was the subject of national sympathy, but those sentiments turned to scorn after he revealed in June that he had started another family.

The rumours also started at around the same time that Lin revealed his new family.

Famous Chinese crime victim becomes subject of conspiracy theories after revealing new family

Lin Shengbin had become a symbol of national sympathy after his family died in a fire But people began spreading rumours about the blaze after he announced the birth of a new child

Lin Shengbin had become a symbol of national sympathy after his family died in a fire

But people began spreading rumours about the blaze after he announced the birth of a new child