Ordinary Greatness Episode 35 Recap
> Ordinary Greatness Recap
Police officers gathered to discuss the pig-butchering scam that had devastated Wu Yu, driving her to a suicide attempt. Gao Chao elaborated on the scammers' maliciousness, detailing how they not only stripped Wu Yu of her assets but also left her with crippling high-interest debt, devoid of any sympathy. He drew a parallel to historical atrocities, where perpetrators objectified victims to normalize their actions, turning murder into a "normal job" with no moral guilt.
The internet, he explained, further distanced scammers from their "objectified" victims, whom they labeled as "pigs," allowing them to feel no remorse. Wang Shouyi, incensed, declared that they must apprehend all these fraudsters and bring them before Wu Yu. He believed this confrontation would force the perpetrators to face their victim, and perhaps, allow Wu Yu to find the courage to "become human again."
He tasked Gao Chao and his team with ensuring all criminals were caught, regardless of how many cases were solved or how much money was recovered. Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei began tracing Wu Yu’s money, only to discover it had been transferred to an overseas cash pool, making it virtually untraceable, much like a drop of water lost in the ocean. The money was quickly moved between multiple cash pools, disappearing without a trace.
This realization left Li Dawei deeply concerned about Wu Yu's well-being. Recognizing the dead end in financial tracking, Gao Chao instructed the team to pivot their focus to the information flow, starting with the online origins of the scam. Late that night, Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei returned to their shared apartment, ravenous. They immediately began devouring Xia Jie's instant noodles. Xia Jie, though initially protesting, shared her meal.
Amidst their hunger, they discussed the frustrating case, acknowledging the inherent difficulty of solving telecommunications fraud. Xia Jie, who had transferred to the Household Registration Department, reflected on her work, finding it increasingly meaningful. She expressed that being a police officer held special significance, as they were the last resort for victims. The investigation into the information flow led them to Haiming County, strategically located on the border with Southeast Asia, offering an easy escape route for criminals.
However, the local Haiming police informed them they couldn't proceed without more precise information, as the identity used by the scammer, Tian Gaoping, belonged to a man who had died two years prior, and his QQ account had been stolen. With this new roadblock, Wang Shouyi reiterated his demand for the scammers' capture. Li Dawei then proposed a new strategy.
Since Wu Yu had met her scammer on the "Long Distance Romance" dating website, he and Zhao Jiwei searched the platform and found another victim, Fan Wenxiu, a 54-year-old widow. She had also been defrauded by a man named Tong Lei, who claimed to be a network maintenance engineer and used identical tactics and videos as Wu Yu's scammer, suggesting they were part of the same criminal group.
Tong Lei had already stolen over a million yuan from Mrs. Fan and was attempting to get her anticipated demolition compensation. However, due to urban planning changes, her house demolition was delayed. Tong Lei's "sister" then messaged Mrs. Fan on QQ, claiming Tong Lei had died from inhaling toxic gas while repairing a lottery website – a detail Li Dawei found absurd.
The team suspected Tong Lei faked his death to cut ties after getting a large sum but before the demolition money came through. Li Dawei suggested a bait operation: he would impersonate Mrs. Fan and message Tong Lei's "sister" about a sudden, lucrative demolition payout of six million yuan, hoping to lure Tong Lei out. Wang Shouyi approved the plan. Li Dawei, with Zhao Jiwei's help, sent the bait message.
The "sister" quickly replied, claiming Tong Lei had miraculously "come back to life" three days after his burial. She recounted a fantastical story of digging him out of his grave, where he immediately asked for porridge and then expressed remorse for Mrs. Fan's losses, promising to make them up, and even told her to guard her demolition money.
The entire team found the story ridiculous but was excited that Tong Lei had taken the bait, revealing his desperation for the substantial compensation. Li Dawei was eager to reply. Gao Chao, however, urged caution, warning against rushing and startling the scammer. Li Dawei then suggested they express skepticism about Tong Lei's resurrection, pushing him to prove he was alive. Wang Shouyi, though concerned about the risk of losing the lead, agreed it was worth a try.
Li Dawei messaged, "Are you really Tong Lei? Are you really alive? Where are you? How's everything? I want to see you, okay?" Tong Lei replied with an overly sentimental message, refusing a meeting and claiming he looked "like a living dead." He promised to recover, visit his uncle in Macau to win back her money, and sent a video taken from his hospital room window as proof.
Wang Shouyi immediately forwarded the video to the Haiming police, who used it to precisely locate the suspect in room 602 of the Old Pier Hotel. Undercover investigation revealed that rooms 601 and 602 housed a dozen individuals, and the entire fifth floor, with over forty people, appeared to be a fraud training center, evidenced by "slogans and lessons" heard.
Officer Zhao of the Haiming Criminal Police Department explained that many local scammers had been trained in Southeast Asia, where fraudulent organizations controlled their recruits and took high commissions. He described telecoms fraud as a sprawling "centipede" industry, noting that hitting one part would not hurt its core, necessitating international cooperation. Gao Chao, Li Dawei, and Zhao Jiwei arrived in Haiming. Officer Zhao outlined a meticulous deployment plan, instructing Gao Chao's team to cooperate without acting rashly.
Inside the hotel, Li Dawei continued to chat with Tong Lei, who was being coached by Ms. Bao in a training session on "client psychology"—how to use "pressure, cherish, progress, motivation, and enjoyment" to manipulate victims into "voluntarily" handing over money. At the pre-determined moment, the police stormed the hotel, overwhelming the lookouts and raiding the training center, arresting everyone involved in chatting, money transfers, and training. Li Dawei called Wang Shouyi and Chen Xincheng, excitedly reporting the successful raid.
He expressed his desire to bring the scammers back to apologize to Wu Yu. Haiming police managed to freeze over a million yuan that the fraudsters hadn't yet transferred. However, Officer Zhao was initially reluctant to release the two specific suspects responsible for defrauding Wu Yu and Fan Wenxiu, citing ongoing investigations and similar local victim situations. Gao Chao received an urgent call, informing him that Wu Yu had attempted suicide again.
He pleaded with Officer Zhao, emphasizing that while full recovery of funds was impossible, bringing the perpetrators to face their victim might save a life. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, Officer Zhao reluctantly agreed to seek permission for the transfer.
Back at the station, a jubilant Wang Shouyi instructed Ye Wei, the instructor, to immediately go to the hospital and share the good news with Wu Yu: the fraudulent group had been apprehended, and the perpetrators would be brought before her to apologize. Ye Wei, however, demurred, admitting she felt helpless in counseling Wu Yu, who had lost all faith.
Wang Shouyi then asked Xia Jie to accompany Ye Wei, believing Xia Jie could recount the dramatic details of the arrest, inspiring Wu Yu with a renewed sense of hope. Xia Jie agreed, with Ye Wei noting her positive transformation since joining the Household Registration Department. As they rushed to the hospital, they saw Wu Yu standing on the rooftop, preparing to jump. They desperately shouted, urging her not to, informing her that the scammers were caught.
But it was too late. Wu Yu leaped from the building, ending her life. Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei, returning with the arrested criminals, were devastated upon hearing the news of Wu Yu's death. Xia Jie sat in the cold courtyard, visibly distraught, the image of Wu Yu's jump seared into her memory. Li Dawei and Zhao Jiwei quietly sat beside her. Li Dawei reflected on their efforts, acknowledging that despite their best, some things remained beyond their control.
This tragedy profoundly affected everyone. Wang Shouyi, while sharing his own feelings of helplessness after the death of Dr. Zhuo, reminded his officers that while they might not eradicate all crime or protect every individual, the police served as society's vital defense line, embodying kindness and justice. He revealed that Mrs. Fan, upon learning of the arrests, had called him, expressing newfound hope and reconciliation with her daughter and son-in-law, a testament to the profound meaning of their work.
Gao Chao then announced an anti-fraud initiative, including the distribution of anti-telecoms fraud manuals and community lectures by experts, emphasizing the importance of proactive prevention over reactive enforcement. This anti-fraud effort would become a continuous, routine task for the precinct. Six months later, Cao Jianjun was released from prison. Due to other commitments, Wang Shouyi called Yang Shu and asked him to pick up Cao Jianjun. Yang Shu arrived at the prison gates to find Zhou Hui already waiting there.
