Fake gas company employee fraud

Beijing reporters have repeatedly disguised as "gas company employees" on-site "free" inspections, specifically defrauding elderly people who are alone at home, the current four suspects were criminally detained by Haidian police.

According to Mr. Zhang Lao, who lives in Haidian District, on April 21, he was defrauded of 6,000 yuan in cash by two men who claimed to be "gas company employees." The two said that the gas safety inspection, the inspection said that Mr. Zhang Lao's home gas hose aging, free to replace a hose for him; also known as gas stoves have gas leakage problems, it is recommended to repair. "We have a matching manufacturer to provide on-site service," the man contacted the manufacturer in the face of Mr. Zhang Lao.

In a short while, two "manufacturer" personnel came to inspect and "identified" that the stove had problems and needed repairs. During the return to the factory, a temporary replacement gas stove could be provided, but Mr. Zhang had to pay a deposit of 6,000 yuan. Afraid of leaking unsafe, Mr. Zhang did not think too much and agreed, and gave the other party 6,000 yuan in cash. After the "factory personnel" installed the stove instead, they left with two gas company employees. When Mr. Zhang’s daughter came home, she found that the replacement gas stove was extremely rough, and it was simply a defective product. Mr. Zhang Lao knew that he was fooled and called the police.

The Haidian Criminal Investigation Detachment police intercepted the community surveillance video and found that it was a four-person gang. They took the minivan to the community, removed the replacement gas stove from the car, and deceived and left the community.

Half a month later, the police found that the minivan was parked in the old palace area of ​​Daxing District. After nearly a week of observance, the car was found to be out early every morning, returning to the city, and finally parked in front of some old communities. The two men put on uniforms, armed gas company employees, knocking on the door from house to house. The other two then removed the gas stove or range hood from the car and swindled into the owner's house.

On May 16th, four people were arrested when they wanted to go out to defraud. The car was given a crime uniform, multiple deposit receipts and 12 inferior gas stoves and hoods. According to the receipt, the group had committed 5 crimes in 3 days and defrauded more than 20,000 yuan.

The four claimed to be fellow villagers. When they accidentally learned about this method of fraud, they tried to buy some defective gas stoves and range hoods from Hebei for $100 each, and bought fake uniforms to slap the old man who was alone at home. More than a dozen frauds have been successful in just over a month.

The two first entered the victim's home in the fake identity of the gas company's employees. After freely changing the hose to defraud the victim, they fired the gas stove or the smoked smoker's hands and feet, and called the other two associates who were assembled as factory employees to "mainten the fault." Later, on the grounds of returning to the factory for maintenance and providing temporary replacement products, the “deposit” was defrauded.

The police reminded that the elderly should be at home alone to raise awareness of safety precautions. If the gas equipment in your home is damaged, call the regular manufacturer warranty phone. In the case of company employees on-site service, you should carefully verify their identity and call the company to confirm.