A number of villagers have been caught demanding compensation for fake houses built in areas of Anchun, Guizhou province that are slated for demolition, Guizhou City News reported on Nov. 17. Law enforcement officials confirmed that owners of such "paper" buildings will not be compensated.

The scheme was identified in the village of Ganhe in Anshun's Xixiu district. The first floors of the buildings in question are legal structures, while the top three floors are all illegal additions.

"Villagers have covered the exterior walls with patterned paper to disguise the fact that they are illegal constructions," an official explained.

Indeed, there are many so-called paper buildings in the village. Such constructions are much cheaper than buildings made of real bricks and concrete; however, the paper buildings can be blown down by strong wind, and it's dangerous for people to actually occupy them. Law enforcement officials said they would require villagers to remove the illegal additions, and that their owners would receive no compensation.

The owners may also face criminal responsibility if the illegal constructions lead to more serious consequences.