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Trader offers $100K reward for tip on finding Zhao alive
A businessman is offering $100,000 cash reward to anyone who can provide information that will lead to the location of missing scuba diving instructor Mei Hua Zhao.
As this developed, Department of Public Safety acting spokesman Jason Tarkong said yesterday that investigators are pursuing leads in Zhao’s case. He refused to elaborate.
Tarkong, who is also coordinator for the NMI Crime Stoppers Program, said he has not been notified about the cash reward. He said that based on his experience, cash rewards should be coordinated with the Office of the Attorney General.
The Chinese businessman, who requested not to be identified, told Saipan Tribune yesterday that the cash reward will only be given if the 25-year-old Zhao is found alive.
“I still believe Zhao is alive,” he said.
The businessman said he borrowed money from friends to raise $50,000. The additional $50,000 will be paid via installment in a two-year period.
He said he is doing this because Zhao is a good friend. The businessman is the same person who posted on his Facebook account last week about the scuba diving instructor’s disappearance.
Another Chinese businessman confirmed yesterday that many friends of Zhao have agreed to donate cash to put up the reward money for anyone who can provide tips on her whereabouts.
When asked about the reward money, Zhao’s husband, Guang Zhe Xuan, said he is not aware of it but is thankful to those who want to help find her.
Xuan, 45, is president of Blue Ocean Tinian Corp., which owns Go Pro Diving on Tinian. The couple opened a branch in Gualo Rai on Saipan only last month.
Xuan earlier disclosed that his last communication with his wife was last Monday afternoon, Oct. 19, when she called him on Tinian, saying she’s already at their shop in Gualo Rai after a diving excursion with customers.
Zhao’s white Toyota Tacoma with license plate ACW-383 was found by her friends last Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 19, parked behind Joker’s Bar, which is near McDonald’s/Mobil gas station in Garapan. The truck was locked, police said.
