A British-Chinese woman told the news that she gave con artists wearing uniforms her life savings in exchange for a virtual tour of what looked like a police station during video chats.
Helen Young has nightmares all the time about the two weeks she spent believing she was on China’s most wanted list.
Con artists posing as Chinese authorities misled the London-based accountant into believing she was under investigation for a major fraud in her home country.
A pile of false evidence that seemed to link Helen to a crime she was unaware of was brought to her attention.
In a last-ditch effort to remain in Britain, Helen handed the fictitious police her life savings of £29,000 as “bail money” after they threatened to extradite her to a prison cell in China.
She admits, “I feel a little foolish right now.” However, there’s no way I could know that wasn’t true. It is really persuasive.
Although Helen’s experience may seem unique, the Chinese diaspora has seen many examples that are comparable to hers.
After several occurrences in the US, the FBI and China’s embassies abroad have cautioned the public against police impersonation schemes. According to reports, an elderly woman in Los Angeles gave over $3 million, thinking that would prevent her extradition.
