Beware of fake flowers glued onto orchids when buying them

    Shanghai Xinmin Evening News reported on March 27: The Hangzhou court sentenced orchid swindler Zhang to 2 years in prison with a 3-year suspended sentence and a fine of 10000 yuan for fraud.

    Mr. Zhang of Hangzhou is a fairly well-known orchid enthusiast in orchid circles. One day he received a mysterious phone call saying that a precious orchid was for sale. After they met, the mysterious person brought two pots of orchids, saying that one pot of "seven-petal" orchid and another pot of "plum-petal" orchid cost 4800 yuan, and after bargaining they settled at 4000 yuan. That evening Mr. Zhang invited his orchid friend Mr. Liang to admire the flowers. After washing away the surface soil at the orchid roots with water, he was shocked: the branch with the flower bud had actually been glued on.

    By coincidence, a month later, Mr. Liang also received a mobile phone call saying that a precious orchid was for sale. After they met, the other party asked 50000 yuan for a pot of "plum-petal" orchid. After checking, the mobile phone number turned out to be the same as the number that had called Mr. Zhang, so he immediately called the police and the orchid swindler was captured.