Tianjin pyramid schemes claim another young victim

Another young man has died after becoming involved with one of Tianjin's notorious pyramid schemes, leading to a further three arrests for 'causing death involuntarily', Tianjin police announced on Monday.

According to officers in Xiqing District, the body of 25-year-old victim Zhang Chao, who was from Shandong Province, was found on a path in a village in the district. No injuries were discovered on the body.

Police later found Zhang strayed into a pyramid scheme gang in Jinghai District, a place noted for rampant pyramid schemes, on July 10. Three days later, Zhang suffered heat stroke and showed no relief after taking traditional Chinese medicine, which is often used to dispel summer heat.

Two gang members, surnamed Wang and Liu, both in their twenties, employed a 55-year-old driver, surnamed Zu, to take Zhang back home. However, Zhang got even worse half way, which led to Zu dropping him off.

This case comes after a similar Tianjin pyramid scheme-related death, where another young man lost his life after coming into contact with a gang. That case has led to five arrests.

The cause of both deaths are still under police investigation.