A new phone scam is targeting Chinese-speaking New Yorkers.
According to AMNY, Chinese-speaking New Yorkers are targets of a new phone scam that is swindling them out of millions.
State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a warning on Thursday about the new scam that targets those with Chinese last names.
Impersonating the Chinese Consulate, the fraudulent callers demand payment to resolve certain issues. The calls are made from outside the US and trick people into providing private information to the ‘consulate’.
Victims of the scam were told to call a number that ended up at an Arkansas 911 center.
21 Chinese immigrants have fallen victim to the scam in New York since December 2017. A total of $2.5 million was taken, according to Schneiderman.
“It’s unconscionable that someone would prey on New Yorkers — including vulnerable recent immigrants — to try to turn a profit,” the Attorney General said in a statement.
Schneiderman said if anyone were to receive such a call that they should contact Federal Trade Commission hotline at 1-877-FTC-HELP (382-4357).
