Lei Chunian, who became a national hero at age 15 for rescuing seven other children from a collapsing schoolhouse during the 2008 Sichuan earthquake, was arrested on charges of fraud and forgery.

Prosecutors in Chengdu allege that the now 22-year-old Lei defrauded 21 people of 463,000 yuan ($76,000), for which he faces at least 10 years in prison, reports Chengdu Business Daily. He faces additional charges of forging licenses, seals and other documents

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Lei reportedly got hooked on cashing in on his fame, allegedly taking money for promising to use his connections, but never following through on his commitments. e is also accused of forging the stamps of a local education bureau and driving school.

"Wherever he went, he was a hero. He got lost [in the limelight]," said a former teacher.

Family members and other relatives showed up to the hearing with honorary certificates given to Lei in the wake of the disaster so that the court might show him some leniency.

The 8-magitude quake struck Wenchuan, Sichuan Province in May 2008, killing more than 69,000 people. At the time Lei fled outside to the school's playground, only to find that he was among just a handful of children to make it out. He rushed back into a classroom and led seven classmates out moments before the building was razed to the ground by the quake.

To honor Lei's bravery, he was named a Teenage Earthquake Rescue Hero and selected as a torchbearer for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

During yesterday's hearing, Lei said couldn't deliver on his promises, and that his claims were fraudulent.

According to China Radio International, last year Lei took a 100,000 yuan fee from his own girlfriend, promising to land her a job as a flight attendant. However, he reportedly stopped communicating with her after she paid him the money.

Court records show that Lei allegedly accepted money from several other people after he promised that he could get their children into a top Chengdu school. He is also accused of taking 138,000 yuan from 10 people whom he told he could get them drivers' licenses without taking the test.

The prosecution entered as evidence samples of forged documents including seals, receipts and notices from the Chengdu education department, and a driving school.

Lei is not the first Sichuan hero to be arrested for fraud. Last year, Chen Yan , who was credited with saving 29 people in the earthquake,  was sentenced to three years in prison and fined 10,000 yuan for defrauding people of  120,000 yuan.

TagsLei Chunian, Sichuan Earthquake, arrested for fraud, 463, 000 yuan, Chengdu