Two sisters in China have published an 86-page document accusing their academic father, Fu Lei, of maintaining an affair with a former doctoral student, alongside allegations of academic misconduct and the misuse of university research funds, according to reports by the South China Morning Post (SCMP) and Sina.
Family Allegations Against Academic Fu Lei
The document was authored by Fu’s two daughters, aged 20 and 15. According to the SCMP report, the sisters stated they first uncovered the alleged relationship in 2018 when they were 12 and seven years old. The siblings reportedly noticed that Fu and Zeng Mengqi—a 35-year-old former doctoral student now working as a professor at Wuhan University—were using matching profile pictures from the Japanese anime series Detective Conan. Fu allegedly used the character Conan as his avatar, while Zeng used Ai Haibara. In their document, the sisters wrote, “Ai Haibara is a fictional character, but the family that Zeng destroyed is real.”
The daughters further claimed that Fu frequently responded to Zeng’s requests while on family holidays and that Zeng sent provocative messages to their mother. Although Zeng reportedly married a university colleague in 2023, the sisters asserted that her relationship with Fu continued. Two years ago, Fu allegedly left the family home, leaving their mother to manage the mortgage and raise the two daughters alone. According to the SCMP, the stress caused the mother to lose 15kg. The elder sister eventually confronted Fu at a university leadership meeting, securing a signed agreement for 5,000 yuan (about S$945) in monthly child support. Fu reportedly earns more than one million yuan annually.
Misconduct and Research Fund Scrutiny
Beyond the personal allegations, the 86-page document raises detailed questions regarding academic integrity and institutional resources. According to Sina, the sisters questioned Zeng’s research authorship, her rapid professional promotion, and the management of research funds. Records cited by the SCMP show that Zeng completed her PhD in 2018, advanced to associate professor in 2020, and secured a full professorship a year later. She has also received recognition under China’s National High-Level Talent Special Support Programme.
The whistle-blower text alleges that Zeng deprived other students of first authorship on academic papers and that Fu ghostwrote articles for her in major publications, including Nature Materials and the Journal of the American Chemical Society. None of these allegations have been independently proven.
Did you know? Whistle-blower documents submitted to Chinese universities trigger formal reviews by institutional disciplinary committees, which hold the authority to investigate professional ethics violations alongside academic fraud.
University Investigations and Legal Context
Institutional responses followed the submission of the materials. Wuhan University announced on Sept 3 that it received the whistle-blower document on Aug 19 and that its disciplinary committee formally accepted the case to launch an investigation. The university stated that any established wrongdoing would be addressed strictly in accordance with regulations and the law, and that results would be made public. Simultaneously, the SCMP reported that Anhui University—where Fu currently serves as a vice-principal, having previously worked at Wuhan University—had also begun examining the allegations.
At the time of reporting, neither Fu nor Zeng had publicly responded to the accusations, and no parties had been suspended from their positions. The exposure drew widespread online discussion, though some internet users questioned whether the document was drafted entirely by the daughters, suggesting certain sections carried the voice of their mother.
Beijing lawyer Zhou Zhaocheng told the SCMP that if universities uncover evidence confirming professional ethics violations or academic misconduct, both Fu and Zeng could face removal or dismissal. However, Zhou also noted that the whistle-blower could face defamation liability if investigations prove the claims exaggerated or factually distorted.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main allegations against Fu Lei?
According to documents published by his daughters, Fu Lei is accused of an affair with former doctoral student Zeng Mengqi, alongside allegations of academic misconduct, ghostwriting, and the misuse of research funds.
Which institutions are investigating the claims?
Wuhan University and Anhui University have both initiated reviews through their respective disciplinary committees following the submission of the 86-page whistle-blower document.
Have the allegations been proven?
No. None of the allegations made by the sisters have been proven, and formal investigations by the universities are ongoing.
What positions do Fu Lei and Zeng Mengqi hold?
Fu Lei is a vice-principal at Anhui University and a former professor and doctoral supervisor at Wuhan University. Zeng Mengqi is a professor at Wuhan University.
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