Greenwich Police Arrest Yin Xiang and Lirong Fu in Organized Retail Crime Operation
On Thursday, June 12, 2025, Greenwich plainclothes officers from the organized retail crime unit were alerted to a suspicious transaction at a local merchant. Officers observed Lirong Fu, 34, attempting multiple purchases using digital wallets with various credit cards, several of which were declined. This pattern raised suspicions consistent with tactics used by Chinese Organized Criminal Groups (COCGs) involved in identity theft and credit card fraud.
These groups often use mirrored digital wallets through apps like “Z-NFC” to make unauthorized purchases using stolen card data. After Fu exited the store with merchandise, he met Yin Xiang, 38, waiting in a vehicle nearby.
Both individuals were detained and gave conflicting statements about their movements and activities. A thorough search of their vehicle uncovered multiple gift cards, receipts, a counterfeit Arizona driver’s license, a notepad with instructions on gift card usage, and over $1,700 in cash.
Further investigation revealed a receipt for thousands of dollars’ worth of suspected stolen merchandise destined for shipment to China, a pattern aligning with COCG retail fraud methods.
Both Yin Xiang and Lirong Fu were arrested without incident and face multiple charges:
Yin Xiang: Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft (6 counts), Criminal Impersonation (6 counts), Payment Card Theft (6 counts), Use of Revoked Payment Cards (6 counts), Receipt from Illegal Use of Payment Card (6 counts), and Conspiracy to Commit Larceny.
Lirong Fu: Forgery, Identity Theft (7 counts), Conspiracy to Commit Identity Theft, Criminal Impersonation, Payment Card Theft, Use of Revoked Payment Cards, Receipt from Illegal Use of Payment Card, Criminal Attempt, and Larceny-related charges.
Greenwich Police continue to investigate the extent of this organized retail crime ring and encourage the public to report suspicious activity related to identity theft and fraud.
