Shrewd businessman or con artist?

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PEOPLE in the Jiangxti province of China are divided in their opinions on a man who has threatened to jump to his death from several building site scaffoldings unless he is paid money.

 

While some think the man – dubbed the ‘brother building jumper’ by local media – is a shrewd businessman, others claim he is a menace to society.

Former air conditioning installer, named only as 47-year-old Mr Li, is believed to have so far made more than 12,000 yuan (€1,500) from his suicidal threats. He is believed to have carried out his money-making scheme in seven Chinese provinces since 2011.

Mr Li climbs scaffolding at building sites and demands cash from the building’s owner or he claims he will jump to his death. He was finally arrested in Jiangxti after he climbed to the sixth floor of a building and demanded unpaid back pay. Police officers lured him down with the promise of money.

After becoming somewhat of a local celebrity, social media users took to their computers to voice their opinions on Mr Li’s antics.

 

“He does have a knack for good business,” said one, while others have urged for him to jump. Another commentator said: “Moral degeneracy is currently one of China’s special characteristics.”

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