Authorities in southwest China were able to stop and capture online scammers through a door-to-door inspection held in a certain community.

Police from Chengdu in Sichuan province were able to arrest 22 people involved in an online scam that has already tricked more than 500 people into giving more than 300,000 yuan (about USD $46,341), reports the West China City Daily.

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Seven of these suspects were captured inside a flat where they were working last month. The other 15 were apprehended when police conducted door-to-door investigations the following week.

The 22 suspects, posing online as beautiful damsels in distress, were able to trick unsuspecting victims to send money into their mobile phone accounts. After receiving the money, the suspects then purchase gift cards or a type of virtual currency called Q coins, which they then offer in exchange for real money. All of them used Chinese messaging app Tencent QQ to communicate with victims.

Trainings Involved

The scammers receive training before they start their modus operandi. This training includes the process of selecting a photo of a pretty girl and then subsequently uploading it into Tencent QQ, an online blog, as well as training on how to communicate ‘sincere’ care and concern to their unsuspecting victims through chats.

These scammers are effective in their operations that they were able to trick hundreds into naively sending thousands into their accounts. One victim from eastern Zhejiang province, for example, unsuspectingly sent 40,000 yuan (about $6,179) over a period of five days.

Another Scam

Meanwhile, another group of scammers were caught doing their thing in Wuhan, reports the Shanghaiist. These scammers are not working behind closed doors but rather outside in public – disguised as businessmen from Hong Kong.

The scammers, who hail from rural Anhui province, even had a Cantonese speaking accent that completes the package. They talk to their targets, convince them to lend them money, and then disappear.

Take for example the case of a university student named Chen. She was approached by a ‘wealthy’ businessman who asked for directions to the nearest HSBC Investment Bank. After asking her for coffee, the man then proceeded with his M.O. and told Chen that he was in the mainland to pay for a friend’s medical bills.

The man then told Chen that he is unable to withdraw some money, and wanted to borrow some from her with a promise to pay her back the following day. Chen unsuspectingly lent him 3,000 yuan (about USD $463). Sadly, to her dismay and loss, the man did not return as promised.

Tagsscam, Tencent QQ, Chat, pretty girl, Chengdu