Disclaimer: This article mentions rape, murder and other graphic details that may be distressing to some readers.
In the dark archives of Malaysia’s ?? criminal history, one name stands out as the nation’s most infamous serial rapist: Lee Chow Meng. He left a horrifying trail of terror, shattering the lives of ambitious women and displaying the depth of how twisted the human mind can be.
Lee’s knack for covering his tracks became painfully clear to investigators during their attempt at solving the case back when it was still ongoing during the late 80s to 90s. Today, his disturbing story of crime serves as a stark reminder of the dark side hidden within seemingly “ordinary” individuals…
1.The man’s serial raping crimes stemmed after a series of infidelity
Before Lee Chow Meng went on his twisted crime spree, he had a long-time girlfriend who he frequently cheated on. In the late 80s, Chow Meng and his girlfriend had just moved in together but they did not last as his rampant cheating caused the relationship to end.
Theories point that this triggered Chow Meng’s already heartbroken and angered state which eventually drove him to seek revenge towards innocent women in an attempt to regain power over his bruised ego.
2. Targeted women through advertisements
Chow Meng targeted women who had advertised their services in newspapers. He would specifically look for women who worked as florists, teachers and insurance agents to rape, all the while protecting his true identity by using fake names.
He would contact these innocent women, meet them at restaurants and spike their drinks with drugs so as to leave them in a semi-conscious state, making it easier for him to overpower them.
During his attacks, he subjected them to unimaginable acts of sexual violence, leaving a trail of traumatic memories for his victims.
3. Used sick methods & threats to keep his victims silent
One of the reasons Chow Meng’s case was difficult to solve and lasted for so long was because he was cunning to always threaten his victims as well as hide his true identity (name, age, address etc.)
He tormented his victims by threating to reveal incriminating lewd photos that he took of them without consent, using vulnerable moments as leverage to extort money from them. It is believed that he would request for up to RM10,00 or more from his victims to ensure the photos would not be spread. His methods of instilling fear kept many victims in the dark and squashed their hopes at seeking outside help.
4. Different Malaysian medias would report him as being “attractive”
Despite his horrifying crimes, Chow Meng’s outward appearance was often described as attractive and charming whenever Malaysian media would report on this case. He was almost 6 feet tall with looks that could be compared to an ‘Asian Backstreet Boy.’
This stark contrast between his appearance and his true nature only added to the shock of his crimes. But more painfully, the language used to describe him often took away from the victims’ plight.
5. Lee raped approximately 18+ women & allegedly murdered 5 of them
Police believed that in just a year, Chow Meng raped around 18 women (or more, given that so many women were threatened into silence), with allegations of him murdering 5 of them.
This case marked one of the highest numbers of rape victims in a single case within Malaysian history in such a short timeframe. Among the victims was 33-year-old beautician Lim Phaik Lian.
6. There was a nationwide manhunt with a reward of RM50,000
As the number of rape cases linked to Chow Meng continued to grow, law enforcement agencies initiated a relentless manhunt. An RM50,000 reward was offered for information leading to his capture, and thousands of wanted posters (some say it was up to 40,000 posters) were distributed throughout the country.
Chow Meng eluded capture for over a year, but the persistence of the police eventually paid off when a brave victim helped orchestrate his capture on August 28, 1997.
7. He had a perverted mind even in his dying days…
Lee’s retched reign of terror came to an end when he fell ill due to an HIV infection in March 2001. He passed away at Taiping Hospital after two weeks of suffering, leaving behind a legacy of horror and trauma.
In his final moments, he made a chilling request that highlighted the depth of his malevolence: he asked for his possessions, including two sex novels, to be placed in his coffin. Reports suggest that his final wish was fulfilled, and his ashes were scattered at sea.
May the strength and resilience of this man’s victims serve as an inspiration in a world that continues to seek justice and healing in the face of unimaginable cruelty. Let their memory endure as a reminder of the importance of empathy and support for survivors of such heinous crimes. 
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Till then – Stay safe and lookout for one another.
Also Read: 6 Murderers Unmasked: A Gruesome Look At Malaysia’s Most Notorious Killers
