2 Men Charged In Retail Fraud Scam: Greenwich Police

GREENWICH, CT — Two men were arrested last week and charged in connection with a retail fraud scam in Greenwich after officers observed behavior consistent with those involved with Chinese Organized Criminal Groups, according to police.

Yin Xiang, 38, faces multiple conspiracy charges related to identity theft, criminal impersonation, payment card theft, less than $500 on a revoked payment card, receipt from illegal use of a payment card, and larceny, police said.

Lirong Fu, 34, also faces several conspiracy charges as well as second-degree forgery, third-degree identity theft, less than $500 on a revoked payment card, receipt from illegal use of a payment card, and sixth-degree larceny.

On June 12 at approximately 1:08 p.m., plainclothes officers assigned to the Greenwich Police Department's organized retail crime unit were alerted by a local merchant to a suspicious transaction, police said in an announcement.

Officers noticed a man, later identified as Fu, attempting multiple digital wallet purchases using different credit cards - several of which were declined, police said.

"Based on training and experience, officers recognized this pattern as consistent with tactics used by Chinese Organized Criminal Groups (COCGs) involved in identity theft and credit card fraud," police noted. "These groups are known to utilize mirrored digital wallets through apps like 'Z-NFC' to make unauthorized purchases with stolen card information."

Police said Fu left the store with merchandise and met another man, later identified as Xiang, in a vehicle.

Both men were detained and "provided conflicting statements regarding their travel and activities," police said.

An investigation found multiple gift cards, receipts, a counterfeit Arizona driver's license, a notepad with gift card instructions, and over $1,700 in cash in the vehicle, police said.

A receipt was also found that noted "several thousand dollars worth of suspected stolen products being shipped to China."

"This is consistent with known patterns of Chinese Organized Criminal Groups (COCGs) engaged in retail fraud," police said.

Xiang and Fu were both subsequently arrested without incident and charged with multiple financial crimes.

Xiang and Fu were assigned court dates at Stamford Superior Court.