CNBC AI News, July 19 – Authorities in Quzhou, Zhejiang Province, have successfully thwarted a sophisticated telecom fraud targeting an elderly woman, potentially saving her over 1.6 million yuan (approximately $220,000 USD), according to local police.
The would-be victim, identified as Ms. Jiang, nearly fell prey to elaborate lies spun by scammers posing as “Douyin customer service” representatives.
The con began with a phone call. The fraudsters informed Ms. Jiang that she had unknowingly subscribed to a premium “live streaming membership” on Douyin (TikTok’s Chinese counterpart). They claimed that unless she immediately canceled the service, she would be charged 800 yuan monthly. The added threat: “Failure to pay will negatively impact your credit score.” This crucial element played on widespread anxieties about China’s social credit system.
Alerted by its fraud detection system, the Quzhou Anti-Fraud Center attempted to contact Ms. Jiang. Frustratingly, her calls had been rerouted, a common tactic used by sophisticated scammers.
Realizing the urgency, officers raced to Ms. Jiang’s home. They found her still on the phone with the fake “customer service,” her phone screen actively being shared with the criminals. Police swiftly intervened, warning Ms. Jiang that she was being scammed. They quickly uninstalled the suspicious software, powered down her phone, and initiated protective freezes on all her bank accounts. They also assisted her in changing passwords for crucial mobile payment applications.
Subsequent verification at the bank revealed the scammers had already converted Ms. Jiang’s fixed-term deposits into readily accessible current accounts – a prelude to draining them. Fortunately, the timely police intervention prevented the actual transfer of the 1.6 million yuan.
Police are reminding citizens that legitimate short-video and social media platforms do not automatically enroll users in paid services and never request remote cancellation via telephone. Anyone claiming to be “customer service” offering membership cancellations should be immediately regarded as a potential fraudster.
Authorities further emphasized that requests to download unofficial apps or grant screen-sharing access are clear red flags. Individuals who suspect they have been targeted by such scams should immediately contact the police at 110 (China’s equivalent of 911), preserve all call records, transaction receipts, and other evidence to aid in the rapid interception of funds.
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