Two people were arrested on Sept 6 by Greenwich Police in what they are describing as an incident of “Chinese Organized Credit Card Fraud.”
Police said that while conducting plainclothes surveillance targeting organized retail crime in the central Greenwich business district, plainclothes officers observed suspicious activity consistent with “Chinese Organized Credit Card Fraud.”
Peini Yu, 32, of Flushing, NY and Chao Chen, 39, of Brooklyn, NY allegedly utilized three different credit/debit cards via a tap-to-pay method, which bore the victim’s personal identification information in an attempt to buy gift cards at a retail store resulting in three declined transactions.
Police learned that the accused had successfully purchased a $300 gift card at another retail store using a different debit card and attempted to purchase three more gift cards using three different credit/debit cards, but were declined.
Based on training and experience, officers recognized this pattern as consistent with tactics used by Chines Organized Credit Card Fraud Groups involved in identity theft and credit card fraud who are known to use mirrored digital wallets to make unauthorized purchases with stolen payment card information.
When the suspects got into a nearby getaway vehicle, investigators conducted an investigative detention. On scene interview revealed conflicting and vague explanations when compared to witness and investigators’ observations.
Also the accused admitted they were were unsure who the credit/debit cards belonged to as they had been told what to purchase, which police said demonstrates the hierarchy of the organized fraud group.
Police said that based on the totality of the circumstances, including the arrestees’ behavior, method of payment, geographic origin, use of multiple cards, presence of a second phone, and known Chinese Organized Credit Card Fraud Group methods, investigators established probable Cause to believe the arrestees were engaged in credit card fraud and placed them under arrest.
Ms Yu was charged with Possession Scanning Device or Reencoder with Intent Illegal Use, Conspiracy to Commit Possession Scanning Device or Reencoder with Intent Illegal Use, Criminal Attempt Larceny 6 (6 counts), Larceny 6, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 6 (7 counts), Illegal Possession Personal id Info Device, Conspiracy to Commit/Illegal Possession Personal id Info Device, Illegal Take Payment Card (7 counts), Conspiracy to Commit Illegal Take Payment Card (7 counts), <$500 on Revoked Payment Card (7 counts), Conspiracy to Commit < $500 on Revoked Payment Card (7 counts) Criminal Attempt/Receipt from Illegal Use Credit Card (6 counts), Receipt fro Illegal Use Credit Card, Conspiracy to commit Receipt from Illegal Use Credit Card 97 counts), Identity Theft 3 (7 counts), Conspiracy To Commit Identity theft 3 (7 counts), Criminal Impersonation (7 counts), Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Impersonation (7 counts).
Her bond was set at $250,000 and she was assigned a date in Stamford Superior Court on Sept 15, 2025.
Mr. Chen was charged with Conspiracy to Commit/Possession Scanning Device or Reencoder with Intent for Illegal use, Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 6 (7 counts), Conspiracy to Commit Illegal Possession of Personal Id Info Device, Conspiracy to Commit/Illegal Take Payment Card (7 counts), Conspiracy to Commit <$500 on Revoked Payment Card (7 counts), Receipt from Illegal Use Credit Card Conspiracy (7 counts), Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft 3 (7 counts), Conspiracy to Commit Criminal Impersonation (7 counts).
His bond was set at $50,000 and he shared the Sept 25 court date in Stamford.