2 Chinese nationals arrested in credit card scheme in Sacramento County, deputies say
ARDEN-ARCADE – Two Chinese nationals were arrested in a credit card scheme while authorities were conducting a retail theft operation at a Target in Sacramento County, deputies said.
On Saturday, the Sacramento County Sheriff's conducted an organized retail theft operation at Target on Fulton Avenue in Arden-Arvade.
This is where they said they saw 45-year-old Xianquing Chen and 31-year-old Haining He arrived at the store together and performed a series of quick transactions. Deputies said they purchased gift cards using an app on a phone.
Chen tried to use 42 separate bank cards but 32 were declined, deputies said. However, Chen was able to spend $855 during the transactions.
Haining He tried 48 transactions on separate cards, finding success 11 times and spending $633, deputies said.
Deputies said the technique is used to steal money by withdrawing money from victims' credit cards and laundering the money for future purchases.
The two suspects met in the parking lot, where detectives met them and arrested them despite Haining Ho trying to run away, deputies said.
Deputies said the suspects admitted to purchasing gift cards on their phones using an app and stolen credit card numbers. Deputies added the card numbers were provided to the suspect 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," deputies said in a news release Sunday.
Deputies worry that the suspects committed these types of crimes at other retail stores around the area. Anyone with information is urged to contact them.
The two were booked into jail and are not eligible for bail.
