Chinese Detective Shares Fraud Prevention Tips with Community
New York – Chinese police detective Daniel Zhang recently shared his seven years of experience working in the Grand Theft Squad of the Southern District of New York with the Brooklyn Chinese Association. During the meeting, Zhang discussed various fraud techniques that the community should be aware of, including identity theft and relationship fraud.
According to Zhang, identity theft is a common method used by scammers to steal personal information and conduct illegal activities, such as withdrawing money from bank accounts or using credit cards for unauthorized purchases. Victims can suffer significant financial losses ranging from a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Additionally, once personal information is stolen, thieves can utilize it for various purposes, making it challenging to resolve the resulting issues.
One common technique highlighted by Zhang is “SIM swap attacks,” where thieves steal identity information and pose as the victim to obtain a new SIM card with the same number from a phone operator. This allows them to access the victim’s mobile phone number and potentially gain access to bank accounts.
Zhang also emphasized the importance of updating addresses after moving to prevent mail theft and fraud. Residents in areas like Eighth Avenue in Brooklyn, where many residences are sublet, are at higher risk of having personal information stolen through mail theft. Thieves often target these addresses to intercept letters containing sensitive information like Social Security cards, credit cards, and tax refund checks.
In addition to addressing identity theft, Zhang warned the community about the “pig-killing plate” scam, where scammers build relationships with victims online to defraud them of large sums of money. Victims can be lured into trusting scammers who pose as attractive individuals and exploit their emotions before asking for financial assistance.
Zhang advised individuals to remain vigilant and seek advice from family and friends to avoid falling victim to scams. He stressed the importance of educating the public about fraud prevention to enhance security awareness and protection capabilities.
As a detective with extensive experience in handling fraud cases, Zhang’s insights and recommendations serve as valuable resources for the community to combat financial crimes and protect personal information. Moving forward, staying informed and cautious can help individuals safeguard against potential threats and prevent financial losses.