FBI Warns: Scams by Fake Chinese Police Increasingly Rampant in the US
An FBI Special Agent in San Francisco warned of rising transnational repression and financial fraud in the US, explicitly pointing out the rampant scams involving criminals posing as Chinese police.
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- 📰 Published: April 18, 2026 at 17:54
- 🔍 Collected: April 18, 2026 at 18:01 (6 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 18, 2026 at 18:20 (18 min after Collected)
Central News
(CNA Reporter Chang Hsin-yu, San Francisco, 17th) An FBI Special Agent, speaking anonymously in San Francisco today, warned of the growing threat of "transnational repression" within the United States, pointing directly at China, and also involving Russia and Iran. He stated that fraudulent criminal activities by individuals posing as Chinese police officers are becoming increasingly rampant in the US.
To combat transnational repression and financial fraud in the US, an FBI Special Agent and forensic accountant appeared at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco today to raise awareness. The forensic accountant noted that individuals in the US lost a staggering $7.9 billion to investment scams in 2025, a significant increase from $5.7 billion in 2024, with younger people accounting for the majority of reported cases.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco has received multiple reports of international students falling victim to scams in recent years. One significant case occurred in 2023, where a female university student newly arrived in the Bay Area was severely threatened by scammers posing as Chinese police. Controlled remotely via video for over three months, she was scammed out of approximately $70,000 and narrowly avoided losing an additional massive sum of $200,000.
At one point, the scammers even accused the student of involvement in a major international wanted case, claiming they would secretly send Interpol agents to the US to arrest her and bring her back to China for trial. They demanded she undergo a remote investigation locally in the US and forbade her from disclosing the case to anyone.
The FBI Special Agent pointed out that this type of crime, combining transnational repression and financial fraud, is increasingly rampant in the US, and scammers typically target overseas Chinese. The scam scheme can be divided into several steps. The scammers first claim to represent Chinese authorities, contacting victims via phone or text message, informing them they are implicated in a criminal activity. If they do not cooperate, they face deportation, or even arrest and repatriation to China. They further intimidate victims into wiring money to Chinese bank accounts to prove their innocence.
The Special Agent noted that victims span all ages, from university students to the elderly.
Regarding transnational repression, the Special Agent emphasized that these are actions directed by foreign governments extending their reach into US law enforcement. Common targets include human rights advocates, dissidents, journalists, political opponents, and ethnic minorities.
The Special Agent mentioned multiple cases of transnational repression conducted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), employing various methods including "doxing"—posting victims' personal information online, subjecting them not only to harassment but potential physical attacks.
He also brought up the CCP's abuse of Interpol "red notices," tracking down individuals seeking asylum in the US, predominantly of Uyghur background, and threatening or arresting the victims' families back in China. "Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence when we handle cases related to the CCP," he said.
He stated that the US currently does not have an extradition treaty with China, primarily because China cannot reassure the US and guarantee that extradited individuals will receive a truly fair trial. Consequently, the level of cooperation between the two countries is very low, handled strictly on a case-by-case basis.
He warned that China, Russia, and Iran are the three most active countries engaging in transnational repression within the United States. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150418
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(CNA Reporter Chang Hsin-yu, San Francisco, 17th) An FBI Special Agent, speaking anonymously in San Francisco today, warned of the growing threat of "transnational repression" within the United States, pointing directly at China, and also involving Russia and Iran. He stated that fraudulent criminal activities by individuals posing as Chinese police officers are becoming increasingly rampant in the US.
To combat transnational repression and financial fraud in the US, an FBI Special Agent and forensic accountant appeared at the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco today to raise awareness. The forensic accountant noted that individuals in the US lost a staggering $7.9 billion to investment scams in 2025, a significant increase from $5.7 billion in 2024, with younger people accounting for the majority of reported cases.
The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in San Francisco has received multiple reports of international students falling victim to scams in recent years. One significant case occurred in 2023, where a female university student newly arrived in the Bay Area was severely threatened by scammers posing as Chinese police. Controlled remotely via video for over three months, she was scammed out of approximately $70,000 and narrowly avoided losing an additional massive sum of $200,000.
At one point, the scammers even accused the student of involvement in a major international wanted case, claiming they would secretly send Interpol agents to the US to arrest her and bring her back to China for trial. They demanded she undergo a remote investigation locally in the US and forbade her from disclosing the case to anyone.
The FBI Special Agent pointed out that this type of crime, combining transnational repression and financial fraud, is increasingly rampant in the US, and scammers typically target overseas Chinese. The scam scheme can be divided into several steps. The scammers first claim to represent Chinese authorities, contacting victims via phone or text message, informing them they are implicated in a criminal activity. If they do not cooperate, they face deportation, or even arrest and repatriation to China. They further intimidate victims into wiring money to Chinese bank accounts to prove their innocence.
The Special Agent noted that victims span all ages, from university students to the elderly.
Regarding transnational repression, the Special Agent emphasized that these are actions directed by foreign governments extending their reach into US law enforcement. Common targets include human rights advocates, dissidents, journalists, political opponents, and ethnic minorities.
The Special Agent mentioned multiple cases of transnational repression conducted by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), employing various methods including "doxing"—posting victims' personal information online, subjecting them not only to harassment but potential physical attacks.
He also brought up the CCP's abuse of Interpol "red notices," tracking down individuals seeking asylum in the US, predominantly of Uyghur background, and threatening or arresting the victims' families back in China. "Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence when we handle cases related to the CCP," he said.
He stated that the US currently does not have an extradition treaty with China, primarily because China cannot reassure the US and guarantee that extradited individuals will receive a truly fair trial. Consequently, the level of cooperation between the two countries is very low, handled strictly on a case-by-case basis.
He warned that China, Russia, and Iran are the three most active countries engaging in transnational repression within the United States. (Editor: Chang Chih-hsuan) 1150418
Stand with the facts, every contribution you make is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First Hand News" APP for instant breaking news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, broadcast, transmitted, or used without authorization.