International students from China studying in the United States have faced an uptick in scams involving criminal actors impersonating Chinese law enforcement officials, according to a warning from the FBI Philadelphia Field Office on Monday.
Why It Matters
Since 2022, the FBI Philadelphia Field Office said it has observed a growing trend in which alleged criminal actors impersonate Chinese police officers. These individuals tell victims they are under investigation for an alleged financial crime in China and must pay to avoid arrest.
The government impersonation targets the U.S.-based Chinese community, particularly Chinese students attending colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area, according to the FBI field office.
“These scams inflict more than just financial harm—many victims endure lasting emotional and psychological distress,” Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, said in a statement.
What To Know
Investigators said the scam typically unfolds over four stages.
First, the alleged criminal actors call victims from a number that appears to be associated with a mobile phone service provider, a large retailer, a delivery service or the Chinese Embassy/Consulate. The callers allegedly tell victims that their information is either linked to a subject or a victim of a financial fraud investigation.
The call is then transferred and an alleged criminal actor posing as a police officer provides details of the alleged financial crime. Victims may be pressured to return to China to stand trial or threaten them with arrest, according to the FBI Philadelphia Field Office.
The caller will allegedly direct the victim to consent to 24/7 video and audio monitoring, citing the alleged sensitivity of the investigation, a need to prove innocence or both. Investigators said victims are told not to discuss the case, not to search the internet and to report all daily activities.
Finally, the criminal actors instruct victims to wire a large sum of money to a Chinese bank account to prove their innocence or to post bail and avoid returning to China, according to the field office.
“We are actively engaging with the public, academic institutions, and our law enforcement partners to identify and support those impacted by this scheme,” Jacobs said.
The FBI Washington Field Office reported a similar scam in May 2024. The FBI field office said criminals pose as law enforcement officials from China, tell victims they are the subjects of criminal investigations and convince them to pay to avoid arrest or deportation.
What People Are Saying
Wayne A. Jacobs, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Philadelphia Field Office, in a statement: “If you or someone you know has been affected, we urge you to contact our office. Every day, we remain committed to holding these criminals accountable, delivering justice for the victims, and connecting those harmed with the resources they need to recover.”
David Sundberg, assistant director in Charge of the FBI Washington Field Office, in a statement in 2024: “These fraudsters pose as Chinese investigators to intimidate their victims and then prey on their victims’ fear to steal their money. The scam is so convincing because it consists of multiple layers and perpetrators. We hope to educate Chinese communities about this threat to empower victims to file reports.”
What Happens Next?
The FBI Philadelphia Field Office is encouraging victims of this scheme to report it to the Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov or at their local FBI Field Office. The FBI Philadelphia Field Office can be reached at 215-418-4000.
The FBI Philadelphia Field Office recommends that victims notify their payment service provider used for the financial transaction and ask the provider to stop or reverse the transaction immediately. The field office also recommends asking the provider to contact the financial institution where the funds were sent.
College students who are impacted by this scheme should also report the activity to their campus security or public safety office to increase awareness among the student population.
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