RedZei Scammers Exploit Chinese Students in the UK

In a troubling development, Chinese international students in the United Kingdom have been under sustained attack from a group of scammers known as RedZei. This scheme, also referred to as RedThief, has been actively targeting this demographic for over a year.

Cybersecurity researcher Will Thomas highlighted the specific vulnerabilities exploited by these fraudsters, noting that they meticulously identify and research their targets. The extensive preparations reflect the understanding that this group represents a lucrative opportunity for scams, particularly due to their relative unfamiliarity with local systems and policies.

One of the most concerning tactics employed by the RedZei scammers is their innovative approach to evade traditional scam-prevention measures. By utilizing new pay-as-you-go mobile numbers for each calling campaign, they effectively circumvent blocks that victims might have put in place based on previously reported scams.

According to Thomas, the operational security employed by these attackers includes rotating SIM cards from various mobile carriers, such as Three, O2, and EE. This tactic not only maximizes anonymity but also frustrates efforts by victims to report and block them.

The RedZei campaign appears to have its roots in an earlier operation from August 2019, when a visa scam exploited similar vulnerabilities among Chinese students, leading to significant financial losses tied to false promises of avoiding deportation.

As part of their operations, scammers contact potential victims on a monthly basis using unique phone numbers. Should these calls go unanswered, they leave automated voicemails that mimic legitimate organizations, including the Bank of China and the Chinese embassy. These impersonations aim to deceive students into divulging sensitive personal information.

Among the various tactics employed by the RedZei scammers, themes such as “abnormal usage of your NHS number” and issues with international parcels delivered by DHL are notably effective. These topics resonate with the concerns of Chinese students in the UK, further heightening the urgency to respond.