A woman was ordered to end her relationship with her adopted daughter after she was investigated for allegedly feigning compassion to defraud money from the public in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, New Express reported.

Guangzhou Intermediate People's Court ruled that Ah Mei (not her real name) has lost her right to adopt Xiao Yu, who had lived with her for nine years, after Ah Mei was investigated and found to be a con woman.

Ah Mei picked and adopted Xiao Yu, who was born in the city of Maoming in 2005.

Ah Mei had received money donated by the public after she frequently appeared on local TV programs and in newspapers to tell moving stories with her adoptive daughter to defraud the public in recent years, the report said.

Ah Mei said she lived a very poor life together with Xiao Yu in a shabby home after the adoption.

Ah Mei touched the hearts of many residents, who made generous donations to her after her stories were told in the media.

But Ah Mei's false compassion was exposed by a local volunteer surnamed Zheng, who used to visit her home to help the mother and daughter.

After months of investigation, Zheng brought Ah Mei to court after he alleged that Ah Mei actually had abused Xiao Yu.

zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn