Liao Dan, facing his wife's terminal illness and lacking healthcare options, resorted to insurance fraud to keep her alive. This desperate act, spanning four years, ignited a national debate in China about the intersection of love, morality, and the law.

Liao Dan, a former factory worker, and his wife, Du Jinling, lived in Beijing's outskirts after losing their jobs. In 2007, Du was diagnosed with kidney failure, requiring dialysis three times a week to survive.

The treatment cost over 5,000 yuan monthly (equivalent to 27 million VND today), quickly depleting their savings. Liao was forced to bring his wife home. Du was ineligible for health insurance coverage due to lacking a hukou (household registration) in Beijing.

One day, Liao observed hospital staff seemingly only checking for official stamps on receipts, not verifying payment amounts. Seizing on this, he contacted a person making fake seals and began submitting forged receipts for "full payment".

This deception allowed his wife to continue dialysis without interruption for four years.

Liao cares for his wife, who passed away from multiple organ failure in 5/2016. *Baidu*.

The scheme unraveled in 9/2011 when a hospital system upgrade revealed missing payment records. Investigators found 49 forged receipts totaling over 172,000 yuan.

In court, Liao pleaded guilty, tearfully stating to the judge, "I was desperate. I just wanted my wife to live."

The case resonated nationwide, many calling it a tragic love story and Liao "China's most devoted fraudster."

An official from Zhuhai in southern China and other philanthropists donated over 500,000 yuan, covering Liao's hospital debt and funding Du's ongoing treatment.

In 12/2012, Liao was convicted of fraud. He received a three-year prison sentence, suspended for four years, and a 3,000 yuan fine. This allowed him to care for his wife while serving community service.

Liao told media he lacked a formal education and couldn't define love. "I just felt that people need to have a conscience. She was sick. I couldn't abandon her to die. Every penny I had went to keeping her alive."

Du eventually passed away from multiple organ failure in 5/2016.

Years later, the case resurfaced through shared online clips, reigniting discussions about law, morality, and the migrant worker health insurance system.

The Liao and Du case significantly contributed to health insurance system improvements. Today, up to 90% of dialysis costs for kidney failure patients can be covered.

By Hai Thu. Source: SCMP.