Michigan woman loses thousands in Gift Card-fuelled Tech Support scam

Alexandru_BD

A Fairfax man, Sunyu Qian, has pleaded guilty to orchestrating a series of scams that defrauded victims of over $1 million. Among these fraudulent schemes, Qian used a sophisticated cyber-security gift card scam that tricked unsuspecting victims into purchasing gift cards to “resolve” fabricated subscription issues. Months later, the heartbreaking story of a victim has finally emerged, showing how emotionally and financially devastating falling for these scams can be. Here’s what happened, how the scam worked, and how you can protect yourself from similar fraud.

Sunyu Qian’s fraudulent operations

Sunyu Qian’s fraudulent activities extended beyond the cyber-security product gift card scam, encompassing multiple schemes that targeted elderly and vulnerable individuals across the United States. Qian's crimes involved tech support scams, price manipulation for supermarket items, and other frauds that resulted in financial losses for numerous victims.

The cybersecurity gift card scam, a key component of his operations, exploited people’s trust in well-known companies. Qian and his co-conspirators contacted victims through phone calls, emails, or pop-up messages, falsely claiming that the victims' cybersecurity subscriptions had expired, had been overcharged, or were compromised by a security issue. They leveraged the authority and legitimacy of a reputable brand to manipulate victims into following their instructions.

How the cybersecurity Gift Card scam worked

Victims were reached through unsolicited communication, claiming an issue with their cyber-security subscription. The scam appeared legitimate because it used a specific brand, playing on the victim’s desire to fix what seemed like a real security threat. The scam created a sense of urgency, leaving victims feeling they had little time to verify the situation. Victims were directed to contact a fraudulent customer support number, which connected them to scammers posing as company representatives. They were told that their subscription needed to be renewed, they were overcharged, or their account was compromised.

After creating panic, the scammers would explain that the issue could be resolved if the victim purchased gift cards - commonly from Best Buy or Target. They insisted that this was the only way to “fix” the account or process a refund for an overcharge. In several cases, victims were told to buy multiple gift cards, often totaling thousands of dollars. Sunyu Qian and his associates would provide specific instructions on which cards to buy and how much to spend, making the scam appear legitimate and coordinated.

Stealing the Gift Card funds

Once the victims bought the gift cards, the scammers demanded the card numbers, claiming it was necessary for the refund or subscription fix. As soon as they received this information, Qian and his accomplices drained the cards, leaving the victims with no way to reclaim the stolen money. Gift cards are a favored tool of scammers because they are nearly impossible to trace, and the funds can be accessed instantly. By the time victims realized they had been defrauded, the funds were already spent or transferred.

Qian’s broader fraudulent schemes

In addition to the cybersecurity gift card scam, Sunyu Qian was involved in other fraudulent operations, including:

• Tech Support scams. Beyond Norton, Qian operated other tech support scams that convinced victims to pay for unnecessary computer repairs or software. Victims were told their computers were infected with malware or viruses and that gift cards were needed to cover the cost of repairs.
• Elderly targeting. Many of Qian’s victims were elderly, who are particularly vulnerable to scams that create urgency and fear. By manipulating these individuals, Qian’s syndicate managed to amass over $1 million through fraudulent schemes.

Why Gift Cards?

Gift cards have become a favorite method for scammers like Qian because they are widely available, difficult to trace, and allow for instant access to funds. Once scammers receive the gift card number, they can quickly convert the card’s balance into cash or goods, making it virtually impossible for victims to recover their losses.

How to protect yourself

1. Verify directly with the company
   • If you receive a suspicious message or call about a subscription or payment, don’t engage with the scammer. Instead, contact the company directly through official channels, such as their website or customer service number, to verify the situation.
2. Understand payment methods
   • Real companies will never ask you to resolve a billing issue or process a refund through gift cards. If someone requests payment through gift cards, it’s a scam.
3. Beware of urgency and pressure
   • Scammers create a false sense of urgency to pressure you into making quick decisions. If you feel rushed or panicked, stop and think before making any payments or sharing personal information.
4. Report fraud immediately
   • If you suspect you’ve fallen victim to a gift card scam, report it immediately to the retailer where the cards were purchased (like Target or Best Buy) and to law enforcement. Additionally, file a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help authorities track and combat these schemes.

Conclusion

Sunyu Qian’s successful exploits have incurred more than $1.25 million in damage to victims on top of the emotional distress they were subjected to. This is a serious reminder of how convincing scammers can be and the significant financial losses they can cause. Using trusted brand names, Qian and his associates managed to deceive numerous victims, leaving them with little chance of recovering their stolen funds. As these types of scams become more prevalent, it is crucial to stay informed, remain skeptical of unsolicited messages, and avoid gift card payments at all costs.

TaxiMagicien42

@Alexandru_BD

Thank you for sharing this article that shows that scammers do not hesitate!
Vigilance and mistrust must be the two reflexes to dope in the face of these dangers.

Although I readily acknowledge that this is not always easy to keep in mind for fragile or vulnerable people.

Regards,

Flexx

https://community.bitdefender.com/en/discussion/101398/michigan-woman-loses-thousands-in-gift-card-fuelled-tech-support-scam

Shocking how sophisticated these scams have become. Using trusted brand names and targeting the elderly is especially cruel. The gift card trick is devious - we must spread awareness that legitimate companies never request payment this way. This case highlights the need for better consumer education and stronger protections against fraud.

Regards