A father in China spent seven years moving across the country to hide his daughter from his ex-wife, deceiving her into believing that she would be sold if discovered by her mother.

According to mainland media outlet Kankan News, 22-year-old Chen Jiayuan’s parents divorced when she was just six years old.

Although custody was awarded to her mother along with their flat, her father took Chen, falsely claiming she had been abandoned. In reality, he sought control over the property.

Chen’s father warned her: “If your mother finds you, she will sell you.”

He also misled his ex-wife, telling her that their daughter was suffering from cancer and was hospitalised, thereby refusing her visits.