A RESIDENT surnamed Zhang was recently defrauded by a WeChat “friend” that he had never met in person while attempting to help an acquaintance get cash via Ant Check Later, a credit service app belonging to Ant Financial Services Group.

According to a report in the Shenzhen Evening News, Zhang works in the financial industry and has connections with people who can get cash via Ant Check Later.

Zhang’s acquaintance, identified as Wang, asked him if he knew anyone who could get cash via the app. Zhang thought of a WeChat “friend” he had added earlier who might have been able to help, and recommended the unmet person to Wang via WeChat.

Without a second thought, Wang transferred 8,000 yuan (US$1,253) to the man. However, the unidentified man never transferred the money Wang was expecting to receive.

After the transaction, the man blocked Zhang and Wang on WeChat. It was then that Zhang realized the “friend” was a swindler and he would have to transfer 8,000 yuan to Wang for his loss.

Zhang later called the police to report the case, and officers from Gongming Police Station eventually busted the suspect after a four-month investigation.

Police reminded residents to be cautious about fraudulent online advertisements that promise to get cash via Ant Check Later, as the function is not even available on the app.

(Zhang Qian)