A Chinese woman accused her husband of infidelity based solely on an online fortune-telling session, during which the fortune-teller alleged that her partner had visited prostitutes and checked into hotels with other women.

This prompted him to report to the police in an effort to clear his name.

The incident gained public attention on October 22, when Anhui Broadcasting Corporation reported that a woman from Wuhu, Anhui province in eastern China, had levelled accusations of cheating against her husband. The couple’s personal information remains confidential.

What shocked the public most was that her accusation was based entirely on a 500-yuan (US$70) fortune-telling session she bought online.

The precise details of her inquiry to the fortune-teller, and the reasons behind her decision to consult one, remain unclear.

“She spent 500 yuan to consult a so-called fortune-telling master, who informed her that her husband was having an affair. The master requested the fee, and having already paid, she believed their interpretation must be accurate,” said Zhao Xingyu, a police officer from the Guandou Police Station under the Jiujiang Branch of the Wuhu Public Security Bureau.

“She trusted them easily because others had claimed they were highly accurate,” Zhao added.

Her husband later disclosed that the online fortune-teller had told his wife he had checked into hotels with other women and even accused him of soliciting prostitutes.