On January 15, Chinese media outlet 163 reported that the recent exposure of several lesser-known Chinese artists being deceived and trafficked to Thailand and Myanmar has become a major public concern. Actor Wang Xing was rescued in time, but model Yang Zeqi has yet to return home. Upon his rescue, Wang revealed that at least 50 other Chinese citizens were detained alongside him at the time.

The news site wrote that the individuals behind the investment, operation, and deception involved in the Thailand-Myanmar human trafficking are being tracked down and arrested. Among the names involved, Zhao Wei has unexpectedly been linked to this inhumane case, causing widespread public shock.

Specifically, Zhao Wei’s ex-husband, businessman Huang Youlong, has a cousin named She Zhijiang, who was previously arrested for gambling in China. She Zhijiang later moved to Myanmar for business and became involved in fraudulent telecommunications schemes. In 2022, he was arrested for leading a scam network that defrauded 330,000 people. Due to this incident, Zhao Wei quickly finalized her divorce from Huang Youlong to avoid legal complications.

Thus, rumors arise that Zhao Wei and her husband have invested in these illegal operations through her cousin. Furthermore, some sources claim that Zhao Wei and her husband directly participated in managing the fraudulent network. Since these activities took place outside of China, the domestic public was initially unaware. Once Zhao Wei’s involvement was uncovered, she reportedly used her connections to erase traces and protect herself by withdrawing from the entertainment industry.

It is important to note that none of the aforementioned claims have been verified.

Meanwhile, at the height of their success, Zhao Wei and Huang Youlong’s business ventures spanned various industries, including film production, stock investments, alcohol, telecommunications, and insurance.

Currently, Zhao Wei’s fans on social media insist that the Myanmar business dealings were solely Huang Youlong’s responsibility and not related to Zhao Wei. Additionally, numerous posts about Zhao Wei’s previous business activities have been quietly deleted.

“Zhao Wei has secretly deleted many posts boasting about her past ventures in Myanmar. These activities are linked to the telecommunications fraud network currently under public scrutiny. Even while staying out of the spotlight, Zhao Wei appears to be leveraging her connections to conceal evidence and avoid suspicion of ties to human trafficking organizations on the Thailand-Myanmar border,” a source commented.

On the other hand, previously on December 28, Zhao Wei officially announced on Weibo that she had divorced her businessman husband Huang Youlong years ago.

“I legally divorced Mr. Huang many years ago. Our marital relationship has ended. Any events, statements, or news related to him have no connection to me. I sincerely ask everyone to respect this fact and refrain from associating me with baseless claims or unfounded information. Thank you,” the actress wrote.

According to 163, Zhao Wei and Huang Youlong had been married for over 15 years and have a daughter together. The couple was once one of the most wealthy and influential power couples in Chinese entertainment, with their combined net worth estimated to exceed $1 billion.

Once regarded as a top entrepreneur, Huang Youlong’s business ventures have faced significant crises in recent years. He has been repeatedly accused of fraud and unpaid loans, including a lawsuit demanding compensation of HK$300 million (approximately 38.5 million USD). These financial troubles are believed to be another reason for Zhao Wei’s swift announcement of their divorce.

Zhao Wei has yet to respond to allegations connecting her to the fraudulent telecommunications and human trafficking network.