Eight Indicted in Major Fraud and Money Laundering Scheme Targeting Seniors
PROVIDENCE — Federal prosecutors have indicted eight individuals linked to a sophisticated fraud and money laundering operation that allegedly defrauded over 300 seniors across at least 37 states, amounting to at least $5 million in losses. The scheme, based in New York, Texas, Massachusetts, and Canada, involved pop-up messages intended to mislead victims into thinking their computers had been hacked or financial accounts compromised.
According to the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney’s Office, victims were urged to contact a so-called "live agent," who presented false claims regarding their financial security, often impersonating representatives from well-known financial institutions or government agencies like the Federal Trade Commission. Reportedly, during these interactions, victims were instructed to transfer funds to purported government accounts or even withdraw cash to purchase gold bars for collection by a "government courier."
Among those indicted are Nanjun Song, Jirui Liu, Xiang Li, and Fangzheng Wang, all charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Most have been detained in Rhode Island, while others, including Chinese nationals from Canada, face pending arrests. Prosecutors have identified an account linked to $16 million that may also involve fraudulent activity.
According to officials, this deceptive strategy was particularly geared towards the elderly, who were often vulnerable to such scams. U.S. Attorneys emphasized that swift actions have been taken to address the scheme, ensuring justice for the victims.
For ongoing updates, contact Christopher Gavin at christopher.gavin@globe.com.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
