When it comes to fraud, the first thing many people think of is that criminals forge identities, weave lies, induce victims to transfer money online, and commit fraud remotely. But now there is also a type of scam in which criminals do not allow victims to transfer money. Instead, they repeatedly induce them and even teach them to fabricate reasons for decoration, medical treatment, business, etc. to withdraw large amounts of cash from banks and then invest in so-called "virtual currency investments." The reason for going in such a big circle is to avoid the bank's risk monitoring and anti-fraud interception.
Let’s follow the story adapted from a real case and see how scammers use small rebates to break through their wariness and use false words to manipulate victims.
Mr. Ying, a bank customer, has a habit of managing money and has always wanted to find high-yield investment channels. After accidentally coming into contact with the so-called virtual currency investment platform, I just tested the water with a small amount at first and received a rebate. The false profit record made him completely let down his guard, and he came up with the idea of increasing a large amount of money and doubling his money.
Mr. Ying, who was completely brainwashed by the high returns, followed the scammer's instructions, went to a bank branch, and made an appointment to withdraw a large amount of cash of 500,000 yuan. Facing routine inquiries from financial managers, he blurted out the words he had already prepared, lying that he had a newborn baby at home and needed cash urgently to prepare a full-moon banquet. Mr. Ying’s statement triggered the staff’s anti-fraud alert.
Huang Xiaohua, deputy director of the Consumer Rights Protection Office of Bank of China Shenzhen Branch: Mr. Ying was lured by criminals with high returns and downloaded a fake investment and financial management app. The false investment income displayed in the app made Mr. Ying relax his vigilance. He thought that these figures could be sold at any time to make a profit just like the market value of stocks, so he decided to invest an additional 500,000 yuan. The criminals specifically emphasized that because the investment field involves some gray areas, there are high returns, and additional investments can only be made in cash or gold. At the same time, he also taught him how to deal with bank due diligence, and made up excuses such as serving alcohol to withdraw cash. Based on the understanding of the customer's family situation and combined with recent high-incidence cases, the bank staff basically determined that the 500,000 yuan cash withdrawal was a high-risk fraudulent transaction, and immediately initiated the anti-fraud emergency response process and reported it to the local police station.
At the last moment when the transaction was about to be completed, 500,000 yuan of high-risk funds were successfully intercepted. Shocked, Mr. Ying tried to log in to the investment platform to verify his income on the spot. He found that the app could no longer be opened, the page was completely blank, the backend account was directly logged out, and there was no trace. All false profit data was cleared, and the platform completely collapsed and ran away.
The core analysis of the scam in this case: The scammer took advantage of the public's "profit-seeking financial management" mentality, used small rebates to gain trust, and packaged the high-yield gimmick of virtual currency; in order to avoid the bank's anti-fraud risk control, he specifically instigated customers to fabricate false reasons for withdrawing cash, only withdrawing cash without transferring money, deliberately concealing the true investment purpose, completing illegal fund flows, and ultimately running away with the money and losing all their money.
Three simple and easy-to-remember rules to prevent fraud:
First, all virtual currency high-yield financial management is a scam, and you must never touch it or invest in it;
Second, if someone teaches you to conceal the use of funds from banks and family members, and fabricate lies to withdraw cash and transfer funds, it is 100% a telecommunications fraud;
Third, cooperating with banks for large-amount fund inquiries is a key step to protect the safety of your own funds. If you suspect you have been scammed, contact your bank immediately and call the police for help.
Producer丨Wang Lei
Reporter丨Xing Sijia
Voice of China, China Central Radio and Television
