Massive credit card fraud scheme leads to arrest of woman by Canton police
Baixue He, 29, of California, was followed by Canton detectives as she repeatedly made multiple gift card purchases at big box stores in the area. Police followed her to 11 separate retail locations where she attempted to make transactions using stolen credit card information. Police believe the credit card information was obtained by He through an online fraud scheme.
Baixue is now facing 17 counts of identity theft following her arrest as part of a joint effort with the Canton police, the office of the Michigan Attorney General and the Michigan State Police who conducted a Nov. 5 “proactive organized retail crime blitz” according to a prepared statement..
Detectives suspect He used stolen data to buy high-value gift cards as part of the scheme.
He has been charged with 17 counts of identity theft by the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office each a five-year felony punishable by up to a $25,000 fine. She was arraigned on the charges Nov. 10 in 35th District Court before Judge James Plakas. Bond was set at $50,000 cash. Her next court appearance on the charges is scheduled tomorrow, Nov. 21.
Canton police urged residents to exercise caution when shopping online and verify website addresses before submitting credit card information for payment. Police cautioned online shoppers to avoid unsolicited links and refuse to provide financial details to unverified sources.
Prosecutor Kym Worthy praised the efforts of Canton police and other law enforcement in protecting consumers from credit card schemes.
“During the holidays and really every day we must guard ourselves against criminals committing fraud. We are thankful that the Canton Police Department is working diligently with other law enforcement agencies to apprehend those who commit these crimes upon our citizens,” Worthy noted in a prepared statement.
