It’s an ongoing scam that has hit the Chinese immigrant community across the country.
The latest victims are being reported in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Police in Lafayette east of San Francisco say Mandarin-speaking callers falsely identifying as police officers from China demand money under the threat of arrest, reported Patch.
“They typically claim that you or a close family member will be arrested by Chinese police agents in the US if all their money is not wired to them,” police said. “This scam is sometimes very elaborate, involving additional people, to appear more legitimate.”
The FBI made a similar warning last year.
According to Fox26, the scheme involves four phases.
The victim is first warned they have been connected to a crime and are presented with false documentation before being threatened with arrest.
Finally, the victims are convinced they must prove their innocence by consenting to 24/7 surveillance. Then finally the scammers go in for the kill- convincing the victim they must wire money to a Chinese account.
In one case, the scammers bilked a Chinese woman out of $200,000.
To protect yourself, police advise never to release personal or identifying financial information to a stranger.
Beware of spoof numbers. The number on your caller ID may not be the actual number they are calling from. Independently confirm the caller is who he really says he is by calling the agency yourself.
Finally call the FBI for assistance if you believe you are being scammed.
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