Chinese couple abandons baby with nanny, claim they are set to inherit Rs 462 crore

The nanny, without any pay, is still caring for the couple's child. (Representational)

A Chinese couple stands accused of vanishing after leaving their five-month-old baby in the care of a nanny, allegedly in anticipation of a hefty inheritance. The couple, whose identities remain undisclosed, purportedly informed the nanny of an impending windfall amounting to 400 million yuan (approximately over Rs 462 crore), owed to them by the deceased ex-partner of one of the individuals.

However, after accumulating a debt of 110,000 yuan (roughly Rs 12.55 lakh) owed to the caregiver, the couple mysteriously disappeared from their residence in Harbin in Heilongjiang province.

The nanny, identified only by her surname, Yu, recounted her ordeal, detailing promises of a monthly salary of 7,000 yuan (about Rs 82,000) that went unfulfilled, alongside a loan of 50,000 yuan (Rs 5.90 lakh) extended to the couple. Despite financial support from her own resources and even borrowing from her brother, Yu remains uncompensated for her services, all while continuing to care for the abandoned infant.

"I gave them all my savings, but since November last year, I haven’t received my salary. They owe me and the money I borrowed from my brother. Without any income, I’m still caring for their child," she disclosed in an interview with Heilongjiang Radio and Television.

The couple allegedly provided Yu with fabricated evidence of their impending wealth, including screenshots depicting ostentatious assets such as gold, luxury watches, and purported safety deposit boxes containing their anticipated inheritance.

Moreover, they presented her with a photograph of a property ownership certificate, ostensibly indicating ownership of a hotel in Harbin's Daowai district.

However, upon Yu's attempts to verify the legitimacy of these claims, discrepancies emerged, casting doubt on the veracity of the couple's assertions. Contact attempts through phone and messaging platforms yielded no response, leaving Yu without recourse for her financial losses.

The unfolding saga has captivated online audiences, prompting speculation regarding the couple's motives and the authenticity of their parental status.

Commentators on Chinese social media websites have raised concerns over the welfare of the child, questioning the couple's decision to abandon them amidst purported financial gains. "Are they even the real parents? Why not take the child with you if you’re going to claim a 400 million-yuan inheritance?" queried one observer.

Others have urged Yu to escalate the matter to law enforcement authorities, citing the suspicious circumstances surrounding the alleged scam. "You should report this to the police. This story has too many holes. It’s highly unlikely her ex would leave her such an inheritance unless the child was his. This smells like a scam," voiced another online commentator.