 However, it is clear that criminals are playing on the perception that the Chinese state could be watching. And it's a perception shared even by Chinese people who aren't involved in politics. I spoke to a scam victim in New Zealand who handed over more than $40,000 to crooks who claimed to be Chinese police. She was convinced that she was under surveillance because they described the shopping centre and children's playground she can see from her window. They may have just used Google Street View.