Quannengshen, or The Church of Almighty God, is a secretive organization, and the biggest mystery surrounds its financial operations.

In 2009, the sect used underground banks to transfer more than 100 million yuan ($16 million) in donations from followers on the mainland to Hong Kong, according to Yeung Tze-chung, general secretary of the Concern Group on Newly Emerged Religions. He believes the money is used to buy ad space in newspapers, distribute pamphlets and organize meetings.

Many people in provinces such as Henan, Liaoning, Shandong and Anhui told reporters that family members had stolen money and donated it to the cult. "My wife had donated at least 30,000 yuan before she disappeared from home three years ago," said Ling Zhanzhang, from Henan.