Shanghai Daily news

Yangpu District prosecutors charged Chang Xian, a fitness club owner who allegedly escaped with membership fees, with contract fraud. Chang's business was in arrears and owed more than 100,000 yuan (US$14,628) in rent, utilities fees and employee salaries in February, authorities said.

But he reportedly told his workers that the club would be equipped with new facilities and decorations would start soon. After that, membership fees would rise. The employees then passed the information to prospective clients and attracted many new members. But the club closed at the end of February, and Chang escaped with 36,000 yuan in membership fees, prosecutors said.