Flushing’s Chinese community has a high demand for currency exchange, with active private exchange transactions, making it a target for criminals. This year, there have been frequent incidents of robbery disguised as currency exchange deals through WeChat, with the latest occurring at the Flushing Tian Guang Xin Tian Di mall on the evening of August 18th.
According to the police report, a young Chinese man needing to exchange US dollars for Chinese yuan for a trip back to China contacted a woman on WeChat. They agreed to exchange $40,000 in yuan, set a time and place, and he brought a friend along to the meeting spot. His friend carried a Target bag filled with money.
As they walked through the Flushing 39th Avenue Tian Guang Xin Tian Di, they met two young Asian men around 20 years old. The victims and their friend were walking behind the two Asian men, when suddenly, the friend with the money got into a scuffle with one of the men, who tried to grab the bag of money, causing the victim to fall and hit his head, allowing the assailants to snatch the bag of money. One of the criminals even pulled out a gun. The two attackers fled towards College Point Blvd.
The victims were two Chinese males aged 21 and 23, while the robbers were two Asian males around 20 years old.
Flushing has a concentration of Chinese residents, leading to frequent private exchanges of US dollars for Chinese yuan. However, recent incidents of crimes disguised as currency exchange have been on the rise, with victims using WeChat to find exchange partners.
On May 27, 2024, a victim exchanged $7,000 for yuan through WeChat and met with an Asian woman on 139th Street in Flushing, only to be attacked by two men who rushed out.
Kevin Coleman, the precinct commander of the 109th precinct of the New York City Police Department, has warned during interviews and community events: Some victims needing to exchange yuan to go back to China look for exchange partners online or on social media, only to be scammed or robbed after handing over the dollars. Coleman advised against exchanging currency with strangers or unknown individuals, urging people to visit banks or legitimate institutions for currency exchange to avoid falling victim to robbery or fraud.
The police have released photos of the suspects and urge anyone with information to call the New York City Police Department Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-577-TIPS, visit the Crime Stoppers website at https://crimestoppers.nypdonline.org/, or submit tips on the NYPDTips platform.