2 Women Accused In 'Card-Not-Present' Scam: Greenwich Police

GREENWICH, CT — Two women are accused of taking part in what's called a "card-not-present" scam in the central Greenwich business district, according to police.

Bengbeng Chen and Wei Lin, both 32 and from Flushing, N.Y., were arrested on Aug. 31 and face a variety of conspiracy charges and charges related to identity theft, criminal impersonation and payment card theft, their arrest reports state.

On Aug. 31 at approximately 2:48 p.m., plainclothes officers working in the Greenwich central business district noticed "suspicious activity" at several local retail stores, police said.

Officers were able to detain two women who were later identified as Chen and Lin, police noted.

"An investigation revealed that the arrestee and her co-conspirator were engaged in Card Not Present fraud," police said in an arrest report. "They had utilized stolen credit card information which had been uploaded into the Apple Wallets of several iPhones that they then utilized, without the consent of the cardholders, to purchase gift cards and merchandise from retail stores."

A search of Lin's car found "a significant quantity" of previously purchased gift cards, 17 iPhones, retail merchandise and cash, police said.

Cheng was able to post a $10,000 bond, and Lin was able to post a $25,000 bond. Both women are scheduled to appear in Stamford Superior Court on Sept. 15.