Sacramento —
March 15Sheriff’s Property Crimes Detectives from the Organized Retail Theft Task Force conducted an operation at Target on Fulton Avenue in Arden-Arcade March 15 that netted two for a credit card scam.
Officials report they observed 45-year-old Xianquing Chen and 31-year-old Haining He arrive at the store together. In a series of rapid transactions, Chen and Haining He purchased gift cards using a cellular phone-based electronic application.
Chen attempted to use 42 separate banking cards — 32 were declined. Chen successfully processed transactions totaling $855. Haining He attempted to use 48 separate banking cards, and while 37 were declined, he successfully processed transactions totaling $633.
Detectives recognized the activity conducted by Chen and Haining He as a technique used by thieves who steal money through unauthorized withdrawals from victims’ credit cards and launder the funds for future use.
After Chen and Haining He left the store, they met in the parking lot and attempted to leave. Detectives contacted the pair. Chen surrendered immediately. Haining He tried to flee on foot but was quickly detained a short distance away.
Both admitted to using an application on their phones to purchase gift cards using stolen credit card numbers. Detectives learned the card numbers they used were provided by a person who was paying them $250 a day to conduct these transactions.
Chen and Haining He are citizens of the People’s Republic of China. They have no legitimate source of income, or any close family or friends in the United States.
They were subsequently arrested and transported to the Sacramento County Main Jail, where they were booked in for several felonies. They remain in custody, ineligible for bail, and are scheduled to appear in court on March 18.
Detectives are concerned that Chen and Haining He have successfully attempted and committed these types of crimes at other retail stores in the area.
This investigation is still ongoing, and detectives are asking anyone with information about this case or other incidents they may have been involved in, to contact the Sheriff’s Office at (916) 874-5115 or Sacramento Valley Crime Stoppers at (916) 443-HELP (4357).
