Greenwich Police arrested two men from Brooklyn on Nov 5: Sixian Zhang, 51, and Zhen Chen, 31.
Police said that while conducting plainclothes surveillance targeting organized retail crime in central Greenwich, ORCA officers spotted suspicious activity consistent with Chinese Organized Credit Card Fraud.
The two men conspired to use multiple credit/debit cards via a tap-to-pay method using the personal identifying information of victims to successfully purchase two $50 gift cards – two were declined and two were successful transactions – at a store on Greenwich Ave.
The suspects then allegedly attempted to buy gift cards at a store in Cos Cob, but had multiple stolen credit cards declined (four transactions declined).
Based on training and experience officers recognized this pattern as consistent with tactics used by Chinese Organized Criminal Groups involved in identity theft and credit card fraud.
These groups are know to utilize digital wallets to make unauthorized purchases with stolen payment card information.
As the two men attempted to enter a nearby getaway vehicle, investigators conducted an investigative detention. The on scene interview revealed conflicting and vague explanations when compared to witness and investigator’s observations.
Further, the accused admitted being unsure who the credit/debit cards belonged to. Throughout the investigation, police learned the co-conspirators knowingly participated in the Chinese Organized Criminal Group during multiple incidents over an extended period of time.
These incidents ultimately led to the larceny of goods and the identities of multiple victims being stolen.
The actions taken by the accused appeared to lead to the overall financial gain and betterment of the criminal organization due directly to their roles.
Based on the totality of the circumstances, including arrestees’ behavior, method of payment, geographic origin, use of multiple cards, presence of multiple phones and known Chinese Organized Criminal Group methods, investigators established probable cause to believe the arrestees were engaged in credit card fraud, while being associated with a criminal group with a pattern of racketeering.
Mr. Zhang was charged with:
Corrupt Org & Racketeering Act
Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 6 (8 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit Payment card Theft (8 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit <$500 on Revoked Payment Card (8 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit/Receipt from Illegal use Credit Card (8 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit/Identity Theft 3 (8 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit/Criminal Impersonation (8 counts)
Forgery 2
His bond was set at $250,000 and he was assigned a date in Stamford Superior Court on Nov 19, 2025.
Mr. Chen was charged with:
Corrupt Org & Racketeering Act
Criminal Attempt/Larceny 6 (6 counts)
Larceny 6 (2 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit Larceny 6 (8 counts)
Payment Card Theft (8 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit Payment Card Theft (8 counts)
<$500 on Revoked Payment card (8 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit <$500 on Revoked Payment card (8 counts)
Receipt from Illegal Use Credit Card (2 counts)
Criminal Attempt/Receipt from Illegal Use Credit Card (6 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit/Receipt from Illegal Use Credit Card (8 counts)
Identity Theft 3 (2 counts)
Criminal Attempt/Identity Theft 3 (8 counts)
Criminal Impersonation (2 counts)
Criminal Attempt/Criminal Impersonation (6 counts)
Conspiracy to Commit/Criminal Impersonation (8 counts)
His bond was also set at $250,000 and he was assigned a date in Stamford Superior Court on Nov 19, 2025.