I was often haunted by the fear of capture

My nightmare began when I embezzled laborers’ wages, although it was a relatively small amount. I invested the money in the stock market and planned to return it after making quick money. Instead, I lost the money, so I continued to embezzle funds.

At first, I thought suffering a loss in the stock market was my bad luck. By the time the money was needed it was too late to recoup the losses (Fu and his partner told prosecutors that they had embezzled nearly 30 million yuan ($4.5 million between them.)

I decided to end it all by taking an overdose of diazepam pills. But faced with death, I just couldn’t do it. Fearing being thrown into prison, I chose to flee the country on Sept 12, 2014.

Traveling via five countries, I finally reached the southern Caribbean state of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. I lived there for 16 months, and every day was agony.

The fear of being caught haunted me. I fell into despair when I learned from the internet that I had been placed on an Interpol list of 100 Chinese economic fugitives. Some of my former superiors were sent to prison after being implicated in my crimes. I have been deeply remorseful since then.

At the same time, I was physically unwell. Gallstones, high blood pressure and a gastric ulcer never stopped tormenting me. I couldn’t go to regular hospitals to receive treatment because of the risk that I would be caught.

On Feb 1, I opened the door after a flurry of knocks. A couple of local police officers checked my identification and said I was suspected of illegal residence. Then two Chinese police officers approached and asked me, “You know what’s going on, right?”

I felt relieved. At that moment, I knew I would rather face jail than suffer the anxiety, ailments and homesickness.

I understand that my feeling of remorse came too late. All I can do now is assist the investigation, confess my crimes and hope for leniency.