China’s Rich Can Hire Body Doubles to Serve Their Prison Time

Ni Hao! How's it going, eh? Keeping out of mischief? Wait...I don't really want to know! Pour yourself some Iron Buddha Tea and help yourself to a mooncake. With six you get eggroll!

To many this may sound shocking, but reality is often different in other parts of the world. The practice of hiring body doubles to serve jail time in the place of rich and powerful individuals is well-documented in China. So if you think your country’s legal system leaves a little bit to be desired, try this on for size...

Apparently, China’s wealthy can get away with just about anything, even serving jail time, as long as they’re willing to part with a small fraction of their fortune. That’s not very surprising considering that even in some Western countries where the legal system is considered impartial, the rich and famous are often shown leniency. Only in China, the so-called “1%” has a different way of dealing with unpleasant situations, like serving time in prison. Instead of wasting their time behind bars, they just pay stand-ins who, for the right sum are willing to take their place. Yes, apparently that’s possible.

Psst... when it's time for me to kick the bucket, I'm going to get a stand-in...actually a lie-in, I guess, because I'm having too much fun living! I wonder if you can get insurance for that?

See ya, eh!

Bob

PS: Did you know that today is International Fortune Cookie Day?