Inside the silent war against cyber fraud

Fighting a quiet yet intense battle in cyberspace, fraud officer Hu Bing is constantly racing against time. In a digital world where scams evolve overnight and criminals hide behind layers of technology, each day presents a new and urgent challenge.

Her path to this high-stakes frontline began in January 2018 when she made the unusual transition from a PhD in military science and instructor at a military academy to a police officer at the public security bureau in Wuhan, Hubei province.

"I chose public security because, like soldiers, police officers are committed to serving the people," Hu said. "I wanted to make a meaningful difference in people's lives."

However, her new role brought unfamiliar challenges.

Despite a solid academic background in computer science — with a degree from Wuhan University and a master's from the National University of Defense Technology — Hu had no formal training in public security.

"When I first started, I focused on how to apply my knowledge to real police work," she said. It didn't take long for her to realize that her technical expertise was a powerful asset in the fight against fraud.

She sees a clear connection between her academic training and investigative work: both rely heavily on logic and reasoning.

"In cyber fraud cases, uncovering the real person behind a virtual identity requires careful, multi-layered analysis and deduction," she explained.

One of the most difficult cases Hu handled concluded in 2024 after a two-year investigation. It involved a complex cyber extortion scheme in which the suspects used multiple phones, more than 10 point-of-sale (POS) machines, and dozens of bank cards to transfer stolen funds overseas — successfully bypassing several layers of technical defenses.

Hu and her team relied on big data analysis and online tracking to uncover key leads hidden within the suspects' networks.

"We made sure not to miss a single detail — it was like playing a virtual game of cat and mouse with the criminals," Hu recalled.

Their relentless efforts ultimately led to the takedown of an international fraud ring worth over 100 million yuan ($13.7 million).

Beyond her achievements in solving cases, Hu has also pioneered innovative methods for fraud awareness campaigns.

Inspired by the push notifications used by e-commerce apps, she initiated the creation of an anti-fraud mini-program that leverages big data to identify individuals at risk and send them targeted alerts with fraud prevention tips.

"Through the program, residents receive anti-fraud advice and can also give feedback on fraud officers," Hu explained, emphasizing how the platform has become a key channel of communication between the police and the public.

To further expand their outreach, Hu and her team combine online and offline efforts. "We use livestreams and short videos — especially popular with younger audiences — to share anti-fraud tips and real-life case studies with a wider audience," she added.

Their campaigns are also tailored to specific groups. For example, they educate middle and high school students about scams involving online gaming transactions, while university students are warned about fraud related to online shopping. For elderly residents, the focus shifts to schemes involving fake investment opportunities and health insurance fraud.

Despite these efforts, Hu noted that cyber fraud tactics are evolving rapidly. "Criminals are now using advanced technologies such as AI-powered face-swapping and satellite networks," she explained.

To stay ahead, her team constantly updates its knowledge of the latest scams and incorporates these insights into public awareness campaigns.

Recently, Hu has observed a significant rise in public awareness about fraud prevention. In fact, cyber fraud cases in her jurisdiction have dropped by 15 percent compared to the previous year.

"Residents often tell me they received scam calls but knew how to spot the fraud and avoided falling for it," she said. "That kind of feedback not only reflects public trust in the police but also shows that our anti-fraud efforts are making a real impact. It's incredibly rewarding."