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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Murdered couple in 'scam' probe | |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A Chinese couple murdered in Newcastle may have been involved in a range of internet scams, including betting and providing false visas, police said. | |
| Zhen Xing Yang and girlfriend Xi Zhou died after a "frenzied" knife attack at a flat in Newcastle's West End. | Zhen Xing Yang and girlfriend Xi Zhou died after a "frenzied" knife attack at a flat in Newcastle's West End. |
| Detectives revealed information on a seized computer and three mobile phones showed the pair may also have arranged forged professional qualifications. | |
| The 25-year-old Newcastle University graduates, were found dead on 9 August. | |
| Det Supt Steve Wade, leading the murder investigation, said: "A possible motive for the killings is beginning to emerge concerning the lifestyle of Xi Zhou and Zhen Xing Yang. | |
| "Community intelligence supported by the examination of computer equipment and mobile call data has shown that both of the victims have been involved in fraudulent activity which has angered and upset a number of people. | |
| Televised matches | |
| "We are currently investigating this as a possible motive for the killings." | |
| One line of inquiry involves claims Mr Zhen recruited spectators online to send live updates from UK football matches. | |
| It is claimed syndicates in China, where matches are televised a minute behind, could take advantage of this. | It is claimed syndicates in China, where matches are televised a minute behind, could take advantage of this. |
| Information passed to Northumbria Police includes details of adverts placed on UK-based Mandarin-language websites, recruiting people to watch football matches around the world. | Information passed to Northumbria Police includes details of adverts placed on UK-based Mandarin-language websites, recruiting people to watch football matches around the world. |
| One reads: "It is a very simple job, any student who is interested, please contact Zhen Xing Yang." | One reads: "It is a very simple job, any student who is interested, please contact Zhen Xing Yang." |
| An ad posted under the name CICI-UK, his girlfriend's nickname, on the powerapple website last October, reads: "Work: Watch football games and send live information to people. | An ad posted under the name CICI-UK, his girlfriend's nickname, on the powerapple website last October, reads: "Work: Watch football games and send live information to people. |
| "Requirement: Basic understanding of football rules, no professional background needed, advantage if you have a car. | "Requirement: Basic understanding of football rules, no professional background needed, advantage if you have a car. |
| "Location: Sheffield, London, Blackpool, Portsmouth, York, Hull and many other places." | "Location: Sheffield, London, Blackpool, Portsmouth, York, Hull and many other places." |
| Similar adverts requested live information from the Mexican League. | Similar adverts requested live information from the Mexican League. |
| Xi Zhou was caught on CCTV travelling home from work | Xi Zhou was caught on CCTV travelling home from work |
| The couple were found dead in separate bedrooms at the downstairs flat by friends on the afternoon on 9 August. | |
| Police said Mr Zhen was "assaulted for more than an hour" before being stabbed. They believe passers-by may have heard his screams. | Police said Mr Zhen was "assaulted for more than an hour" before being stabbed. They believe passers-by may have heard his screams. |
| A post-mortem examination revealed he suffered extensive bruising to his arms before he died. | A post-mortem examination revealed he suffered extensive bruising to his arms before he died. |
| Examinations also showed Miss Xi may have been asphyxiated as well as stabbed during the attack. | Examinations also showed Miss Xi may have been asphyxiated as well as stabbed during the attack. |
| The body of a cat, which had been drowned and hidden in a washing bowl underneath the bathroom sink, was probably killed by the couple's murderer, said police. | The body of a cat, which had been drowned and hidden in a washing bowl underneath the bathroom sink, was probably killed by the couple's murderer, said police. |
| An offender profiler has been brought in to help establish a motive for the killings. | An offender profiler has been brought in to help establish a motive for the killings. |
| Police have also released CCTV images taken as Miss Xi travelled home from work at the Wagamama restaurant in Newcastle last Thursday afternoon. | Police have also released CCTV images taken as Miss Xi travelled home from work at the Wagamama restaurant in Newcastle last Thursday afternoon. |
| Police have not been able to find any occupation for Mr Zhen since he completed his degree in September 2006. | Police have not been able to find any occupation for Mr Zhen since he completed his degree in September 2006. |
| A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We continue to look into the lifestyle of both victims and internet websites form part of this investigation. | A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "We continue to look into the lifestyle of both victims and internet websites form part of this investigation. |
| "We cannot comment further at this stage." | "We cannot comment further at this stage." |