Police in Fontana, Los Angeles, USA, said two Asian-American women were arrested on suspicion of posing as tax officers for wire fraud. The two are believed to have conspired to defraud at least multiple victims nationwide, obtaining nearly $1 million worth of "stolen goods."
< h1 toutiao-origin="h5" > suspects Lu Ailing (left) and Lee Ji-hyun, both 25 years old</h1>
Prison records in San Bernardino County show that Los Angeles residents Ailing Lu and Ji Hyun Lee were arrested on September 19 local time in an apartment building on Ardmore Avenue in Los Angeles, according to U.S. media reports on September 22.
Both are 25 years old, and some North American Chinese media say that Lu Ailing is a Chinese woman. Lu Ailing was charged with two counts of theft under false pretexts and conspiracy, and Li Zhixian was charged with conspiracy. They all paid bail and were released on September 20.
The police investigation began on September 4. A man received a call from a self-described Internal Revenue Service employee who was told there was a problem with the tax and that he would be arrested if he did not pay the caller a $2,200 Target store gift card. Scammers generally ask victims to buy a gift card or a reloadable debit card and read the serial number.
Believing this, the man followed the instructions of the other party to buy a gift card and send it to the other party. But he didn't feel right afterwards and called the police.
Fontana Police said in a press release: "It is clear that these suspects are well organized and take advantage of the fear of victims for fear of being arrested. ”
Investigators tracked down a Target store in the Los Angeles area, where surveillance footage was retrieved and a woman was found to have redeemed the gift card involved.
Target's loss prevention unit for gift cards told investigators that Indiana University police are also investigating a similar incident. After comparing surveillance footage from the two cases, investigators determined that the woman who redeemed the gift card twice was the same person.
<h1 toutiao-origin="h5" > some of the items found in suspicious vehicles</h1>
During surveillance operations, investigators intercepted the suspicious vehicles of the two women and found some items exchanged for gift cards.
Police issued separate search warrants for their residences, seizing approximately $900,000 worth of electronics (including iPhones), gift cards and other items. It's unclear whether all the items and gift cards were obtained through phone scams, or how many victims paid the callers. But police believe there are many more victims.
<h1 toutiao-origin="h5" > "stolen goods" seized in the residence of the two men</h1>
Investigators suspect there may be more people involved in a series of telecom scams, and the case is under investigation.
Earlier last week, Los Angeles police confirmed that a couple from Georgia suspected of posing as deputies defrauded 6 people in a similar case and obtained $16,000 worth of gift cards. The caller in the case also threatened to arrest the victim.
It is understood that telecommunications fraud is already widespread in California. Scammers posing as officials of various law enforcement and government agencies threaten victims with phone calls and ask them to send money.
The U.S. police remind the public that no law enforcement or utility agency will require payment by shopping card or transferable debit card. Anyone who receives a similar call should look up the agency's phone number to verify the authenticity of the money transfer request. If you encounter similar telecommunications fraud, the victim should report to the police in time.
Compiled/written by: Nandu reporter Shi Minglei
Image credit: LYDN KTLA