"Breaking News: 'If you have relatives or friends suffering in jail and you want them to be released earlier, we can help. Full-text Reading Network, payment after the task is completed. X Lawyer.' Upon receiving such messages, Mr. Wu warns you not to believe it; these are scammers. In recent days, reporters engaged multiple times with the so-called lawyer in the text message, exposing the tricks of the fraudsters.
After several rounds of engagement, the 'lawyer' was exposed. Mr. Huang from the Nandi area of Benxi City has been quite troubled lately. He told the reporter about this troubling incident. A few days ago, while having dinner at his parents' house, Mr. Huang received a text message stating that they could help get people out of prison, also noting that payment would be made after the fact. Coincidentally, Mr. Huang's younger brother was sentenced to two years in prison last year for theft and is currently serving time.
Although Mr. Huang believed it to be a scam, to confirm the authenticity of the lawyer mentioned in the text message, he asked the reporter for assistance. On February 23, the reporter dialed the number provided in the text message. A woman with a Southern accent — 'Lawyer Wang' — answered the call.
When the reporter expressed the desire to 'bail' someone out and requested a meeting, the woman initially avoided meeting in person and then said, 'We need to study your case as not all cases can be handled. Send us the details via text message, and I'll get back to you tomorrow.'
Subsequently, the reporter sent over fabricated information about a prisoner. However, on February 24, the reporter received a call from 'Lawyer Wang,' saying, 'Your brother’s case has been reviewed by our leadership, and we’ve already verified it. Your brother is behaving well inside. We can handle it, but it will cost 60,000 yuan. We can get him out within a week.'
On February 26, the reporter again received a call from 'Lawyer Wang,' who stated that everything was going smoothly and mentioned having visited a certain prison in Shenyang multiple times. She hinted that she expected the reporter to pay some travel expenses upfront, which the reporter refused.
On February 27, 'Lawyer Wang' called again, informing the reporter that the matter had been resolved and demanded that the money be transferred to a bank account. The reporter insisted on paying in person and even offered to pay more, but the other party firmly refused.
'Lawyer Wang' said, 'If you take the person and don't pay, what am I supposed to do?' After some insistence, the reporter jokingly claimed that upon seeing the person, they would pay one million yuan. 'Lawyer Wang' became agitated on the phone, shouting, 'You're not keeping your word; you're the scammer!' She repeatedly threatened that the person in prison could face additional years if necessary, and then hung up. Subsequent attempts by the reporter to call this number went unanswered.
Lawyers: This matter is absolutely impossible. Yesterday afternoon, the reporter visited four law firms in Benxi City, indicating that a friend was currently in prison and hoped to be released early, asking if there were any ways to 'smooth things over,' adding that money was not an issue. All four law firms gave the same answer: it was completely impossible.
One lawyer told the reporter, 'This isn't something that can be resolved with money. Legally speaking, since the person is already serving time in prison, it indicates that their identity has changed to that of a criminal, undergoing legal punishment. Unless there's a possibility of wrongful conviction, as long as the crime committed is clear and indisputable, early release can only be achieved through good behavior in prison leading to reduced sentences.' Before leaving, the lawyer kindly advised the reporter, 'Young man, no one can handle this matter. Don't let yourself be deceived!'"