Executive Summary
- FBI Philadelphia reports an increase in scams targeting Chinese international students since 2022.
- Fraudsters impersonate Chinese police or embassy officials using spoofed phone numbers.
- Victims are threatened with arrest and forced into 24/7 audio/video monitoring.
- Scammers demand large wire transfers or cryptocurrency payments to resolve alleged legal issues.
Federal authorities in Philadelphia have issued a public warning regarding a sophisticated fraud scheme specifically targeting Chinese international students attending universities in the region. According to a press release from the FBI Philadelphia field office, there has been a documented uptick in these incidents since 2022, involving perpetrators who impersonate Chinese law enforcement officers to extort significant sums of money from victims.
FBI officials stated that the scammers typically initiate contact using phone numbers spoofed to appear as though they originate from mobile service providers, large retailers, delivery services, or the Chinese Embassy or Consulate. The perpetrators allege that the student’s personal information has been linked to a financial fraud investigation in China. To lend credibility to the deception, the call is often transferred to an accomplice posing as a Chinese police officer.
Investigators detailed that the impostors threaten the students with arrest or forced repatriation to China to face trial if they do not comply. As part of the psychological manipulation, victims are coerced into consenting to 24/7 video and audio monitoring. They are strictly instructed not to discuss the case, conduct internet searches regarding the claims, or report their daily activities to others.
According to the FBI, the scheme culminates in a demand for funds. The scammers instruct victims to wire large amounts of money to Chinese bank accounts or transfer funds via cryptocurrency exchanges. These payments are characterized by the fraudsters as necessary to prove innocence or post bail to avoid deportation.
“These scams leave real and lasting harm that extends far beyond a financial loss,” stated Wayne A. Jacobs, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Philadelphia. Jacobs emphasized that the bureau is working with academic partners and local law enforcement to identify victims. The FBI urged anyone impacted by such fraud to report the incident to the Internet Crime Complaint Center or their local FBI field office.
Investigative Outlook
The persistence of these impersonation schemes highlights the evolving tactics of transnational fraud rings that leverage specific cultural fears and the authority of foreign institutions to isolate victims within the United States. The use of cryptocurrency and international wire transfers complicates the investigative process, often making the recovery of stolen assets difficult due to jurisdictional boundaries. This warning underscores the necessity for heightened vigilance among university communities and the importance of cross-border cooperation in tracking the digital footprints of these financial crimes.
