Crackdown and Collapse of the Deception

In March 2022, Xiamen police received reports accusing Deng Haipeng and his training organization of fraud.

A dedicated task force was immediately set up. After months of surveillance and investigation, in October 2022, the police successfully dismantled the criminal syndicate led by Deng Haipeng.

October 2022: Xiamen police dismantle the criminal syndicate led by Deng Haipeng. Pictured: Command center during the operation.

Investigations revealed that Deng Haipeng's group established eight major regional divisions nationwide, founding ten "Xinyangsheng" companies with a five-tier organizational structure.

At the top was "God's conduit," Deng Haipeng himself.

The second level consisted of 25 "core volunteers" directly involved in operations.

The third level included 25 "regional volunteers" overseeing the eight regional divisions.

The fourth level comprised 259 "peripheral volunteers," while the fifth level encompassed over 3,600 members across the country.

This structure closely resembled a pyramid scheme, relying on recruiting subordinates, appointing regional supervisors, and advancing based on the number of recruits.

Police discovered 370 accounts linked to the syndicate and associated companies. Deng Haipeng funneled the illicit proceeds into high-risk investments in a Shenzhen company.

Authorities swiftly froze all funds involved and recovered more than 8 million yuan from Deng Haipeng's personal illegal gains, laying the groundwork for restitution efforts.

Following the operation, police immediately interrogated Deng Haipeng.

A video recording captured his confession, where he detailed his fraudulent activities and sexual exploitation of female members.

This footage was shown to affected volunteers and members, exposing Deng Haipeng's false persona and prompting widespread awakening among those deceived.

Professor Lai Danfeng, Director of the Psychological Counseling and Education Center at Xiamen University, analyzed the case, stating that Deng Haipeng's psychological control over members unfolded in three stages:

first, prolonged lectures and so-called centralized office work cut members off from their normal lives;

second, rituals like identical clothing, slogans, and doctrines reinforced their sense of belonging and identification with the group;

 third, by humiliating and belittling members, Deng Haipeng weakened their self-esteem, while occasionally offering small rewards to win their loyalty.

 "In this cycle of 'squeeze, knead, suppress,' Deng Haipeng achieved complete mental control over his followers," Lai Haipeng remarked. She further warned that anyone could fall victim to similar illegal organizations exploiting spiritual beliefs for criminal purposes, emphasizing the need for vigilance.

In October 2023, Deng Haipeng was convicted of multiple charges, including using superstition to undermine law enforcement, fraud, and rape.

He was sentenced to 17 years and six months in prison and fined 8.1 million yuan. Seven other accomplices also faced justice.

First trial verdict.

Wu Yafeng, the prosecutor from the Siming District People's Procuratorate in Xiamen, who handled the case, told reporters, "This is one of the largest criminal cases involving harmful psychological manipulation training in Xiamen in recent years, with a significant number of people involved. Through the joint efforts of the public security, procuratorial, and judicial authorities, we adhered to the principle of targeting a small criminal core while educating and rescuing the majority of those misled. Ultimately, the main offender and seven accomplices were held criminally accountable, achieving a balance between prosecution and education."

(All names in this article, except Deng Haipeng’s, are pseudonyms.)