A woman who profited from the control of sex workers stripped of property

A woman who profited from controlling sex workers has had property taken from her.

Prosecutors showed that Qingxiang Zhao, from Manchester, purchased her property using money made through money laundering and the controlling of sex workers in York and Manchester.

Today, (10 April) she was handed a Civil Recovery Order after it was found that her property had been obtained through unlawful conduct.

Zhao first came under investigation in 2018 but fled to China with her partner following charges of money laundering in 2020.

The CPS Proceeds of Crime Division was then able to use its civil recovery powers, which allow for assets to be seized and forfeited without a conviction, where it can be shown that they are the proceeds of crime.

Extensive evidence which showed that Zhao was running a sex work business was uncovered during the initial investigation, which was then used to secure the Recovery Order through the High Court.

Adrian Foster, Chief Crown Prosecutor of the CPS Proceeds of Crime Division, said: “We aim to robustly pursue criminals for their ill-gotten gains, and we can use our civil powers to do so even where criminal proceedings are not brought.

“Zhao evaded justice when she fled to China, but we were able to use alternative routes to ensure that she does not profit from her criminal enterprises.”