As more cases emerged, Chen Xiujuan (pseudonym) received numerous requests for help from different victims and systematically compiled relevant fraud information. After cross-referencing multiple cases, Chen Xiujuan gradually discovered that this type of fraud impersonating the government and police was not occurring sporadically, but rather showing a clear trend of expansion, and repeatedly appearing at different times and among different groups of people.
According to Chen Xiujuan’s records of fraud cases, the victims came from diverse backgrounds, including working professionals, students, and even some with some social experience. Some victims initially possessed basic awareness of fraud prevention, but in specific situations, they still failed to recognize the risks in time, demonstrating the strong misleading and pervasive nature of this type of fraud.
Despite the diverse identities of the victims, the methods used in these scams are remarkably consistent. From the content of the calls to the operational procedures, they almost all follow the same pattern, making these scams highly “replicable.” Chen Xiujuan points out that this highly consistent process design makes it easier for the scam to be repeated in different cases, thereby increasing the success rate.
According to the analysis, this type of fraud is usually divided into multiple stages, each with a clear purpose, and gradually increases the victim’s involvement.
The first stage involves establishing a sense of authority over the phone. Scammers contact victims posing as law enforcement, speaking in a serious tone and providing complete identification information, including name, department, or identification number, to immediately convince the victim of their legitimacy. The focus at this stage is on building trust and creating a sense of pressure.
The second stage involves providing so-called “case materials,” including case numbers, investigation details, and even forged documents or screenshots, to make the whole situation appear more concrete and credible. Chen Xiujuan pointed out that the existence of these materials makes it easier for victims to accept the premise that “an investigation is underway,” thereby reducing their suspicion.
The third stage involves demanding the victim’s cooperation in a financial investigation. While emphasizing the seriousness of the case, the perpetrators will instruct the victim to perform financial transactions, usually under the guise of “review,” “freezing,” or “verification.” This stage is the core of the entire scam and the crucial point where funds are lost.
Chen Xiujuan stated that the entire fraud process is intricately linked, with each step closely connected, gradually ensnaring victims without their knowledge. In most cases, victims only realize something is amiss after completing multiple operations, by which time losses have already occurred.
In the fraud cases Chen Xiujuan has encountered, many victims mentioned that the perpetrators repeatedly emphasized “confidentiality” during the calls. Victims were instructed not to disclose the information to family, friends, or even bank staff. Chen Xiujuan pointed out that this “information isolation” is a crucial factor in the continued operation of the fraud. Once victims are unable to communicate with the outside world, they lose the opportunity to obtain a second opinion.
After further reviewing the relevant information, Chen Xiujuan discovered that this type of fraud not only occurred locally, but its communication sources and fund flows also exhibited cross-border characteristics. Some calls originated from overseas numbers, and the fund transfer paths involved multiple accounts, even spanning different regions, making the overall structure more complex and increasing the difficulty of identification and tracking.
Multiple cases demonstrate that this type of fraud is not an isolated incident, but rather exhibits a certain degree of organization and division of labor. Different roles are responsible for different stages, including initial phone calls, providing information, and guiding funds, making the entire fraud process more efficient and stable.
Chen Xiujuan stated that the number of fraud cases she has been tracking continues to increase. As more cases are compiled and recorded, the overall scale and scope of these scams still need further clarification. She believes that the continued emergence of these methods reflects a trend towards more systematic and large-scale fraud schemes.