Why Are Chinese Households Frequently Targeted by Burglars? Skipping "One Cup of Milk Tea" Can Catch Thieves Off Guard

The United States is a diverse nation, home to people from all over the world. However, this also means a mix of good and bad, with petty thefts and even large-scale burglaries occurring frequently—many of which target Chinese households. Sometimes, entire neighborhoods are hit, with criminals employing brazen tactics.

As the year-end approaches, home break-ins have become even more frequent. Household safety has become a major concern for many Chinese families. Chinese homes are ransacked, making them prime targets for burglaries! With the Lunar New Year approaching, security issues in New York's Chinese communities are rampant.

Especially during the Spring Festival, many Chinese families return to their home country to visit relatives. While this is supposed to be a joyous time for family reunions, it also presents an opportunity for criminals. Many burglars specifically target Chinese households, knowing they are likely to be empty during the holiday.

Last week, a case was reported where nine armed African-American men broke into a Chinese home, pistol-whipped the male homeowner, and stole tens of thousands in cash.

In many American households, there might not even be a few hundred dollars in cash. However, there’s a perception that Chinese families tend to keep cash at home, along with large amounts of jewelry, designer bags, and other valuables. As a result, criminals often target Chinese neighborhoods or look for telltale signs of Chinese households when scouting for targets.

The media has provided a diagram of common symbols used by burglars: If you see strange markings near your home, don’t dismiss them as childish pranks—they could be signs that thieves are casing your property.

For example, a few years ago, a highly controversial song titled "Meet the Flockers" explicitly described how to target Chinese households:

"First, you find a house in a Chinese neighborhood, 'cause they don't believe in bank accounts..." (implying they keep large amounts of cash at home). Today’s thieves are highly skilled—not only can they break in, but they can even carry away entire safes! We previously reported a case where a Chinese family, the Lees, were tied up, and their safe containing large sums of cash and jewelry was dragged away.

Why Are Chinese Households Easy Targets for Burglars? Here’s a Summary...

1. Houses with obvious Chinese markers
2. Leaving shoes outside the door
3. Preferring cash over cards
4. Avoiding conflict and not reporting crimes
5. Habitual "showing off wealth"

Aside from these "Chinese-specific" traits, what other factors make homes vulnerable?

1. Corner-lot houses
Studies show burglars prefer corner houses because they have fewer neighbors and are easier targets.
If your home is in a high-traffic area, be extra cautious—it’s also a prime target.

2. Too many locks
While you might think more locks mean more security, they actually signal to thieves that you have valuables worth protecting.

3. No dog at home
Dogs aren’t just loyal companions—they’re also excellent deterrents. Over 50% of burglars avoid homes with dogs.

4. Neighboring houses have been burglarized
If you’re moving into a new area, ask neighbors about the community’s safety history. If a thief succeeded once, they’re likely to return.

5. No security system
Some may think home security systems are unnecessary. Unlike in China, Americans rarely use anti-theft doors or bars—they rely on alarms. Surveys show 60% of burglars would skip a house with a security system. Cameras are a must. Modern surveillance lets you monitor your home remotely via smartphone.

A survey asked burglars: "What can homeowners do to prevent break-ins?"

◆ Keep the front yard clear, with lights on at night and well-trimmed shrubs. Burglars avoid visibility and prefer dark, overgrown properties.
◆ When traveling, ask friends to collect mail and mow the lawn to create the illusion someone’s home.
◆ Install alarms and cameras. Advanced systems allow real-time monitoring. Most burglars flee when an alarm is triggered: "I’d try to disable it or run immediately."

In a study, 77% of burglary victims had no security system, and 47% had one but didn’t activate it.

After a break-in, 58% of victims installed a Home Security system, and 41.2% added security cameras.

Others took measures like photographing valuables, buying safes, securing doors/windows, hiding valuables, purchasing guns, or moving.

Rather than acting after the fact, prevention is key! Security cameras deter crime and are the best defense. Which system suits Chinese families best? Today, we have a "milk tea solution"—let’s explore.

Arlo and Ring are widely used in North America. Here’s a fair comparison of their popular wireless cameras:

Arlo Pro 2 MSRP $149.99 – Cloud storage requires a monthly fee starting at $2.99.
Ring Spotlight Cam Battery MSRP $199.00 – Cloud storage requires a $139 base station or a $3+ monthly fee.

These prices might shock you—$150–$200 per camera, plus monthly fees! Over two years, Arlo costs $221.75, and Ring costs $271.

Overseas products too expensive? What about buying from China?

Some readers consider buying from Chinese e-commerce sites like Taobao. While prices seem low (~200 RMB), many lack essential features.

Most require extra storage cards, which have limited capacity and need frequent clearing. A few offer cloud storage, but monthly fees are high.

If issues arise, warranty support is slow due to time zone differences.

What’s the best Home Security solution for overseas Chinese?

iTalkBB, a trusted brand for overseas Chinese, has developed an affordable, high-performance product: iTalkBB Aijia Home Security.

Aijia Wireless Security Camera

Original price $179—now FREE!

First camera: $9.99/month

Second camera: 50% off at just $4.99/month!

24/7 English/Chinese/Cantonese customer support

Find a nearby store now!

Over two years, the total cost is just $119.76—half the price of Arlo and Ring! At $4.99 per camera, with equal or better features, it’s an unbeatable deal!

For the price of a milk tea, get a Home Security camera!

For the cost of a skewer meal, safeguard your family!

For a pizza’s price, travel worry-free!

This milk tea leaves burglars stunned!

iTalkBB Aijia’s design delivers unmatched value—better than any milk tea! Home Security has never been this easy.

iTalkBB is trusted by Lang Ping, coach of China’s women’s volleyball team, to enhance life for overseas Chinese. Victory isn’t just about offense—it’s built on solid defense.

24/7 English/Chinese/Cantonese support. iTalkBB—creating a better life for overseas Chinese! Call now: 1-877-482-5522

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