A Henderson man named Zhao Wang was recently indicted by the Department of Justice for his involvement in a scam that targeted over 2,000 elderly individuals, resulting in a total loss of $27 million. Along with four others from Southern California, Wang was charged with fraud and money laundering.
The scheme involved using various methods such as pop-up ads, emails, and phone calls to lure victims into contacting call centers in India. Once in contact, the scammers convinced victims to install desktop software that allowed them to access their computers. Through tactics like technical support, government impersonation, bank impersonation, and refund scams, the perpetrators were able to manipulate victims into sending money through wire transfers or express mail packages.
To cover their tracks, the scammers used fake names and addresses of retail locations to pick up packages with false IDs. The money obtained from the victims was then allegedly laundered through cryptocurrency transactions to accomplices in India. A recovered text message from one of the California defendants revealed that they were laundering over one million US dollars per week.
According to U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath, Southern California is a common location for such scams that target seniors, preying on their life savings. McGrath advised the public to be cautious and seek advice from others before sending money to strangers who reach out through phone calls, texts, or online platforms.
This indictment sheds light on the prevalence of scams that specifically target vulnerable populations, such as the elderly. It serves as a reminder for individuals to remain vigilant and skeptical of unsolicited communications requesting personal information or financial transactions. By staying informed and seeking guidance, people can better protect themselves from falling victim to similar schemes in the future.
