AN app-based cab driver has been criminally detained for allegedly stealing 14,000 yuan (US$2,146) using the WeChat account of a rider who had left his phone in the car.

On Sept. 1, Universiade Town Police Station in Longgang District received a report from a man, surnamed Liu, claiming that 14,000 yuan had been transferred out of the bank account that was tied to WeChat on his mobile phone. He forgot his mobile phone in the car after getting out of the cab.

He contacted the driver, who denied ever finding Liu’s phone. The driver, also surnamed Liu, continued to deny the accusation when police started an investigation.

The police investigation showed that a woman, surnamed Ding, had used the victim’s WeChat account to buy two iPhone 7 Plus mobile phones for 13,000 yuan. On the night of Sept. 4, police arrested Ding in a rented apartment in Shajing, Bao’an District. Ding confessed that she had conspired with the cabbie to steal money from the victim. The driver was also caught on the night of Sept. 4.

The interrogation revealed that the driver had in fact found the phone left by the passenger. He was surprised to find that the owner hadn’t set up screen-lock code. The driver opened the victim’s WeChat account and found it was tied to a bank account. Liu then changed the payment code for the phone and gave it to Ding to buy two mobile phones using WeChat payment. The two then divided the account’s remaining 1,000 yuan.

Ding is also being held under criminal detention.

(Han Ximin)