Free Web NovelChapter 436: Chapter 410 I Want Both_1
Mr. Qu laughed.
"It just so happens I’m at Qin University, working with two people on a small branch software, a tracking system, which I’ve been tinkering with. Doctor Lu encouraged me to try it out with the team. We’re just here to check the results, and I didn’t expect Director Zhou to bring us a case.
I figured since we need to track anyway, I might as well come over to your place, so we can keep up with the latest news. By the way, Director Xu told me that the economic investigation folks are coming too, and they should arrive soon. Together, I reckon the tracking will be more effective. Have they called you yet?"
Zhou Ning shook his head.
"I just got in touch with Zhou Xiaojun through their instructor’s phone. To avoid startling the scammers, I told him to turn off his phone and wait for news with the instructor. However, the scammers haven’t called again. Could it be because my phone has been busy? Should I contact them proactively?"
Mr. Qu waved his hand.
"Don’t rush. What he did was mimic Zhou Xiaojun’s phone number online, and then when he contacts you, he blocks their signal on their end. That’s roughly what it means. It’s not a high-end trick, but these kinds of people usually operate from abroad, making it a bit difficult to catch them."
"Abroad?"
Zhou Ning was somewhat surprised. He had only heard of phone scams before and had never experienced one himself. Besides, these were normally handled by the economic crimes unit, which he had little contact with. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
Seeing Zhou Ning’s urgency, Mr. Qu quickly explained.
"Director Zhou, don’t worry. I just tried tracking and found that the person is actually in Qindao."
This statement surprised Zhou Ning even more. He hadn’t expected the scammer to be in Qindao. Could it be that they knew about his family? How else would they have such detailed information and know that he was a cousin?
Mr. Qu and his team, however, made themselves at home, and set up various machines and equipment on the dining table.
At that moment, the doorbell rang again. Zhou Ning quickly went to open the door. The visitor was someone he recognized, Chu Qiuhe, the captain of the economic investigation brigade, whom he had only seen at meetings and had little interaction with.
Chu Qiuhe took the initiative to speak first, grasping Zhou Ning’s hand and pulling him into the room as if it were his own home.
"This is an emergency, let’s skip the pleasantries. I’m telling you, Director Zhou, do you have an extra table at home? Let’s get to work. Today we must catch that scammer."
Zhou Ning chuckled, looking rather embarrassed. However, Mr. Qu had already extended the dining table. Originally a long table, it was now pulled out to a length of four meters. Everyone moved quickly, setting up machines, arranging equipment, and connecting Zhou Ning’s phone.
Within minutes, Zhou Ning’s place looked like a movie set, and at this point, he too started feeling the pressure.
"Chu Squad, the scammer hasn’t contacted me again. I don’t know if they’ve sensed something. I just told Xiao Jun to turn off his phone and stay with the instructor. I haven’t made any other arrangements," Zhou Ning said.
Chu Qiuhe appeared nonchalant, waving his hand to signal Zhou Ning to relax.
"I mean, you’re the expert in dissection, but this is our expertise. I just saw the device that Mr. Qu’s team from your lab made, and I’m saying we need to invest funds into developing this tech. It’s far superior to our current equipment. Why don’t you talk to Qin University about shifting the research focus in this direction?"
Zhou Ning glanced at Mr. Qu, who was all ears, and realizing that this was of utmost concern to him, did not refuse, but nodded in agreement:
"The Research Center is exploring many directions for development. Doctor Lu also hopes to see growth in various areas, not just in forensic science. Mr. Qu’s work on this software, I’ll definitely give it a strong recommendation next time. As long as you express your needs, funding can be made available accordingly."
Chu Qiuhe chuckled and clapped Zhou Ning on the shoulder.
"Talking to you is a pleasure. I get it. Later, I will go and plea to Mr. Hu directly. Our department gets neither grandfather’s love nor uncle’s care, spending a lot every year to update to the latest equipment, yet we keep chasing after the tails of criminals in the economic field.
We can’t be blamed, since nowadays it’s a competition of science and technology. If we can’t keep up, we can’t catch anybody, and still, our results are oftentimes disappointing each year. However, this time the scammer is within the country, in our local area. We’ll definitely snag this rat."
Zhou Ning laughed along, feeling relieved. It was better that the perpetrator was local. At the very least, it was easier to handle than if they were in Jing City.
The most important thing was that Xiao Jun was unharmed, which allowed Zhou Ning to breathe a sigh of relief. Otherwise, he really wouldn’t have been able to explain himself.
"By the way, Chu Squad, how did the scammer know my name? According to Xiao Jun, he only filled out his personal information for a raffle when buying a computer a few days ago. He only gave his ID number; he didn’t reveal anything else, did he?" Zhou Ning inquired.
Chu Qiuhe gestured dismissively.
"Those people are quite cunning. When your brother bought the computer and paid with a card, with an ID and card number, they can find out transaction information. Perhaps you’ve transferred him money before, so they could guess roughly who you are. As for other information, it’s even easier to get, sold in bulk for a hundred yuan per ten thousand.
Think about it. If they knew you were a police officer, they wouldn’t dare to scam you. They’d have run away long ago. So their information isn’t complete; they’re half buying info, half guessing. If they guess right, they make off with tens of thousands."
Zhou Ning paused, mulling it over; it made sense. Had he hung up the phone then because of the word "cousin," the scammer would have probably moved on to another target.
While he was thinking, Zhou Ning’s phone rang. The number was still the one from Peng Cheng in Yun Province. Zhou Ning quickly sat up straight as the economic investigators hastened over. Chu Squad also lost his smile and held up three fingers.
"When I count to three, you answer the call. Sound anxious and say there might be a problem with the card number, that you can’t transfer money, and you’re not sure if the account has been frozen. We could provide another card number and try again, right? Just drag it out as long as you can; the longer you do, the more accurate our search target becomes."
Zhou Ning nodded.
"Got it."
As Chu Qiuhe’s finger dropped, Zhou Ning answered the call and even deliberately breathed heavily into the phone.
"Hello! Is this Peng Cheng? Why can’t I get through to Zhou Xiaojun’s phone? I couldn’t transfer money to Zhou Xiaojun just now either. The bank’s people said that his card is in some sort of frozen state, apparently because the password was entered too many times, and I can’t make any transactions.
The more anxious I am, the less I can contact you. What should I do if I can’t transfer the money? Could I borrow your card or another classmate’s card? How is Zhou Xiaojun doing, can he still talk?"
Zhou Ning’s voice trembled, and Chu gave him a thumbs up from the side. His acting was definitely Oscar-worthy. It was as if you just needed to start him off, and he’d have the whole script written out.
"Oh, it’s frozen, and the doctor’s pressuring me again. Zhou Ning, bro, I can give you the card number, but are you able to write it down?"
Zhou Ning’s shaky hands fumbled around the coffee table, deliberately making some noise.
"Don’t rush me; my hands aren’t working well right now. I’m borrowing a pen from the bank... okay, okay, I got one... thank you... Alright, Peng Cheng, tell me, which bank’s card is it?"
"Postal Savings Bank?"
"What? You mean the ’head’ bank? What bank is that? Don’t skip parts; my head can’t keep up right now."
At this moment, not only Chu, but also the people who came later couldn’t help smiling. Zhou Ning’s tone, anxious and adding confusion while insisting on interrupting, was completely free of any hint of acting.
"Zhou Ning, bro, don’t rush. You’re too nervous. Just listen and I’ll tell you. It’s the Postal Savings Bank. You have one of those there, right?"
"If you’d said it like that earlier, I’d have understood right away. There’s a Postal Savings right near my house. Continue with the card number and account holder’s name, and don’t waste time."
"The account holder’s name is Zhang Peng, and the card number is..."
This time, Zhou Ning didn’t delay much because Mr. Qu and another economic investigation officer had already raised their hands, indicating they had completely locked onto the specific location. Chu Qiuhe ran to call from the next room to arrange things.
"I’ve written it down. In about ten minutes, I could be there. After I transfer the money, I’ll let you know. If it’s not enough, you tell me right away. We’ll do whatever the doctor says; we’re not afraid to spend the money. Thank you, Peng Cheng. I’ll treat you to a meal afterwards." freewёbnoνel.com
"Don’t mention it, Zhou Ning, bro. Go ahead and transfer the money. I just heard from the doctor that this money is for surgery. However, the exact amount depends on the blood used during the operation. If it’s a lot, this certainly won’t be enough. But you keep an eye on my call."
After hanging up the phone, Chu Qiuhe returned with a mobile phone in his hand and gestured OK to Zhou Ning.
"We’ve located the exact position, on the east side of No. 10 Building, Jingyuan South District, Maidao Road. There aren’t many floors here, so it’s easy to search. My people are already there and going upstairs to capture them. I don’t think you’re the only victim. These people always operate in a group, so we should get news soon."
Mr. Qu leaned in.
"I checked the cell phone number that received the transfer information to this card number and also tracked down their computer’s IP address. There are two options. I can give them different experiences; you choose what we do, Director Zhou.
The first option is to send a message in the name of the bank stating that the funds have arrived. When they log in, the webpage will be my altered version. This will leave them happily waiting for the police to catch them at their doorstep, of course, I can also provide a more accurate location.
The second option is to attack their IP address right now. I’ve got customized virus only I can resolve, which can leave their computer completely paralyzed. In confusion, you choose which one?"
Zhou Ning looked at Chu, not his decision to make.
Chu Qiuhe just laughed.
"If you won’t choose, I will, Mr. Qu has really surprised me. We’re going with both. First, let them have their fun, then the computer goes dead. Provide the most accurate location, we’ll make the arrest. We can recover the data afterwards, right?"
Mr. Qu nodded.
"I’ve copied all the evidence, just need to withdraw, and everything could be restored. So, I’ll get on it."
With that, he hurriedly ran to the computer, typing furiously, which bewildered anyone watching. Chu Qiuhe’s phone rang at that point.
"Have you arrived?"
Mr. Qu glanced over, pointing to a spot and saying,
"Found it, here in block one unit 402."
"Did you hear that? Unit 402, block one. Force your way in, don’t let a single one escape; take them all back!"
