WPBN: A Chinese national is currently in jail and facing charges for his alleged involvement in the fraudulent activities, which involved scammers defrauding elderly people in the United States of $1.2 million with a simple pop-up or phone call, according to federal authorities.
The 58-year-old Xiao Kun Cheung was involved in a hoax that pretended that elderly people’s computers or bank accounts had been compromised, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
Along with his accomplices, Cheung allegedly persuaded the elderly to withdraw “large sums of money” in order to acquire gold bars or gift cards. Cheung was in the United States illegally.
Later, those would be given to another conspirator posing as a government entity, according to the news release.
The practice of asking for payment in unusual metals, including gift cards of precious metals, is a characteristic of scammers. It is advised by the Department of Justice that consumers “not send money, gift cards, or wire transfers to anyone you’ve met only online.”
Prosecutors believe that Cheung’s plan targeted elderly persons in the United States, particularly Georgians in Savannah and Pooler. The plan also affected residents of Tennessee and Florida.
Cheung is said to have assisted in retrieving the gold bars from an elderly Pooler couple. Wire fraud, receiving extortion money, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and possession of controlled narcotics were among the charges brought against him.
He risks “substantial financial penalties,” according to the prosecution, and a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
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He was previously deported from the United States for illegally remaining in the country, according to them, and is currently incarcerated pending additional court appearances.
Federal prosecutors urge you to notify 911 or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at 833-FRAUD-11 (833-372-8311) if you think you or someone you know has had elder fraud.
