In a scandal that reads like a plot twist, 15 women from a Shenzhen-based real estate consulting company were involved in misleading at least 36 men to buy homes in the neighboring city of Huizhou under the guise of romantic relationships, according to local authorities.

The men, around 30 years old and working in Shenzhen, were all tricked into buying apartments in Huizhou's Zhongkai High-tech Zone for their "girlfriends", all named Liu Jia.

The duration of the false relationships did not exceed one month, according to early media reports.

The women would establish romantic relationships with targets on a social media platform. In short order, they would explain that their intention was marriage. To increase the likelihood that their parents would agree to the marriage, the women suggested that their target buy a house. Once a target seemed amenable, they would recommend a salesperson from the real estate company in Shenzhen.

Upon investigation, it was found that the 15 women involved in the case all worked for the same Shenzhen company, according to the urban and rural construction and comprehensive law enforcement authorities of Zhongkai High-tech Zone.

They will collaborate with the real estate regulatory authority in Shenzhen's Longgang district for further actions and work with the real estate development enterprises and relevant departments to explore measures to protect the legitimate rights and interests of homebuyers.