An 82-year-old Stamford, Connecticut, resident had already lost more than $100,000 in a courier scam when police say a New York man received a package he believed contained approximately $15,000 more in cash.
Qianlin Zheng, 28, of Flushing, Queens, was arrested by the Stamford Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit and charged with second-degree larceny. Police described the package pickup as part of the same scam, according to Patch.
The available reporting does not establish that he collected the victim’s earlier payments or that the package actually held the amount he expected.
Police accompanied the arrest announcement with a warning about callers who pose as government officials or financial investigators and arrange to collect money in person. The department urged anyone unsure about such a demand to end the conversation and independently verify the caller’s identity.
Later Court Reporting Lists a $55,000 Bond
Initial reporting said Zheng was held on $100,000 bond and scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on September 9. Patch published those details in its account of the police announcement.
The Stamford Advocate subsequently reported on September 10 that court records listed a $55,000 bond and an October 22 appearance. The charge has not been proven in court, and Zheng is presumed innocent unless convicted.
Stamford Had Already Warned About Cash and Gold Pickups
The department issued a separate warning in July about criminals persuading people to turn savings and investments into cash or precious metals. A July report described scammers posing as government officials, financial institutions and technology or technical-support representatives.
Victims were told their accounts had been compromised and that handing over cash, gold or silver would protect their money. Police warned that older adults were frequent targets.
A Code Word Does Not Verify the Courier
In the warning accompanying Zheng’s arrest, Stamford police said a courier may appear professional, supply false paperwork or use a code word.
“In reality, legitimate U.S. government agencies will never send someone to your home to collect cash, gold, gift cards, or valuables,” police said.
The FBI has documented similar tactics in a courier alert. In some schemes, criminals successively impersonate a technology company, a financial institution and a government official. They claim an account has been hacked or is at risk, then direct the victim to withdraw cash or purchase precious metals.
Some victims are instructed to wire money to a metals dealer, which ships the purchases to their home. The scammers then arrange for someone to collect the valuables there or at a public location, the FBI says.
A supposed authentication code can be as specific as the serial number on a dollar bill. The caller may promise that the courier will move the assets into a protected account on the victim’s behalf. The FBI warns that the promised safekeeping is part of the fraud.
Hang Up Before Agreeing to a Pickup
Stamford police recommend telling a suspicious caller that you will verify their identity independently, then ending the call. Find the agency’s phone number through its official website or another trusted source. Do not use a number supplied by the person requesting the money.
Caller ID can also be manipulated to display a legitimate agency’s name or phone number. A familiar number on the screen does not establish who is speaking, police warn.
The FBI advises against giving unknown people your home address or agreeing to meet them to deliver cash or precious metals. It also warns against installing software or allowing computer access at the request of someone who contacts you unexpectedly.
If a stranger says they need immediate access to savings, pause the transaction and speak with someone you trust. The FBI’s elder-fraud guidance urges people to resist pressure to act quickly and to call police immediately if they believe they or a loved one are in danger.
Keep Pickup Details and Report the Scam Promptly
Someone who has already handed over money should preserve the original messages, receipts and communication records. When reporting the incident, include contact dates, the names used, phone numbers, email addresses, payment methods and the instructions received. Details about the pickup, including its location and any photographs or surveillance footage, may also help investigators.
Contact your bank or other financial institution to safeguard accounts that may have been exposed. The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, or IC3, recommends asking a financial institution to recall a wire transfer if one was sent. A recall request does not guarantee recovery.
Fraud can also be reported to IC3. People age 60 or older who need help with that process can call the Justice Department’s fraud hotline at 833-372-8311. The free service connects callers with case managers who help them navigate federal, state and local reporting and other resources.
The hotline operates Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern. Stamford police ask anyone who believes they have been targeted by a similar courier scam to contact the department at 203-977-4444.