Like many working women in China, Ashley Wu shops almost exclusively online. Then, last November, she booked a non-existent domestic flight online, after a person posing as a customer service representative called and told her that her existing ticket had been cancelled.
The person perpetrating the fraud had access to Ms Wu’s online purchases, and knew that she had recently booked a Rmb4,000 ($600) flight. The voice on the phone told her that she needed to rebook the flight immediately or risk not being able to fly.
“When someone knows everything about you and you feel pressed for time, you will do anything they tell you, however irrational,” said Ms Wu, a Beijing-based teacher. Stressed, she quickly offered them her details.