K encountered Mark online in September 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. As lockdowns stretched on, the digital space became a common venue for forming new connections.

Having been divorced for over ten years, K had spent those years raising her two sons independently. The prospect of companionship was a welcome change.

However, the reality of the situation came crashing down when a woman named Jessica* arrived at K’s doorstep, claiming to be Mark’s girlfriend. This unexpected visit shattered the hopeful illusion K had held onto.

“We now have a group chat,” K said. “Everyone in it is verified — real names, phone numbers. So far, we’ve confirmed at least five victims. Some of them were tricked by him as far back as 10 years ago.”

K said Mark admired her independence and courage and would text her late at night to offer her encouragement. Source: SBS News / Nicole Gong

Through Mark’s “investment advice”, several women were persuaded to pour their money into property deals that later turned sour.

K said she lost more than half a million dollars over the course of the relationship.

‘Chinese red’

“I told him that my English wasn’t good,” she said. “He said, ‘That’s okay. I’ll teach you’.”

An excerpt of a text message exchange between K and Mark. Source: Supplied

“He’s British, and he behaved just like a gentleman — polite, humorous, and confident.”

At first, they saw each other almost every day. But every weekend, he would vanish — no calls, no texts.

An excerpt of a text message exchange between K and Mark. Source: Supplied

Then, like clockwork, he would reappear on Sunday night or Monday morning with a convenient excuse: a motorbike trip, moving house, friends visiting, overtime at work.

One day, Jessica decided to surprise him. She drove to his house — only to find another woman living there. That “ex-girlfriend” told her about K.

‘His goal was economic control’

“His goal was economic control, disguised as love,” she said. “He didn’t rob you outright. He chipped away slowly, softly — until one day you looked up and realised the money, and the trust, were gone.”

Melbourne family lawyer Teresa Liu told SBS Mandarin many Chinese migrants are unaware of de facto relationships as a legal concept, as there is no equivalent in Chinese law.

Melbourne family lawyer Teresa Liu advises Chinese migrants to learn about the legal significance of de facto relationships in Australia. Source: Supplied

“Many new migrant women think living together doesn’t make them a couple,” Liu said. “But under Australian law, once a de facto relationship is established, there’s no real difference from marriage.”

“And avoid mixing personal assets early on — it can make future property disputes far more complicated.”

The boy cleaned his face by himself and, out of love for his mother and fear of Mark, kept the incident secret from her.

The handwritten letter K’s son provided to the police as part of her application for an intervention order. Source: SBS News

“I was stunned,” K said quietly. “It’s fine if I was hurt — but why did my child have to suffer too?”

In the video, the boy said: “When mum and my older brother aren’t home, my mum’s boyfriend hits me and wipes me in dog poo. I tried to run away, but he chased me and hit me very hard.”

Loneliness in a foreign country

“He knew exactly what I liked — he talked about music, dreams, and life. Through that illusion of romance, he built the image of a stable, successful man I could rely on.”

“Every time I think about him chasing my child and smearing dog faeces on his face when I wasn’t home, I have nightmares.”