Shanghai bank clerks recruited to stop cell phone scams

Shanghai bank clerks recruited to stop cell phone scams

Shanghai police in Changning District is tackling mobile phone scams by offering rewards of 200 yuan (EUR 20.00) to bank clerks and security guards who prevent remittances being sent. This a part of campaign aimed at eliminating crime during World Expo.

“The most effective way to prevent phone swindles is to stop the remittance from the victims at the bank and enhance awareness,” said He Minzhong, deputy director of Bank of Shanghai, Changning Branch according to Shanghai Daily online edition.

The district police has uncovered 226 cases where people had been swindled out of a total 10 million yuan (EUR one million) by responding to SMS messages on their phones. The number of cases has more than doubled this year.

The swindle take various forms, including fake phone calls supposedly from the government providing a “safe” bank account, and kidnap warnings.

Changning police has cooperated with local banks by installing warnings, and organizing training courses for bank clerks. The program has prevented 14 cases covering 1.84 million yuan since July.