STATEN ISLAND, NY – Two men are facing federal charges today in connection with a brazen and widespread fraud scheme that preyed on hundreds of elderly Americans, attempting to siphon off over $18 million. Jingbin Jiang was arrested this morning in Staten Island and will appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Stewart D. Aaron. His accomplice, Su Jian Liu, a/k/a “Fatty,” a/k/a “Ah Pang,” remains at large.
The scheme, which stretched across at least 20 states including New York, New Jersey, Texas, and California, involved a calculated effort to exploit the vulnerabilities of senior citizens. According to federal prosecutors, the pair, working with others, successfully stole over $5 million from more than 70 victims. The investigation is being spearheaded by the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Jay Clayton, alongside the FBI’s New York Field Office, led by Assistant Director Christopher G. Raia, and the NYPD, under Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch.
“As alleged, Jingbin Jiang and Su Jian Liu worked together with others to steal the hard-earned money of some our most vulnerable New Yorkers and others around the country,” said U.S. Attorney Clayton. “Taking advantage of our elderly after they have worked so hard to save and contributed so much to our city and this country is heartless and despicable. These charges, and the efforts of the FBI and the NYPD, should serve as a warning to fraudsters and cybercriminals: New Yorkers want you held accountable for your crimes, and the women and men of our Office are committed to doing so.”
The modus operandi, laid out in the indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court, is particularly chilling. Victims were initially contacted through deceptive pop-up messages on their computers, falsely claiming to be from tech companies, banks, or even government agencies. These messages prompted victims to call a designated phone number, where they were subjected to elaborate and frightening narratives designed to induce panic and compliance. Common tactics included false claims of computer viruses, hacked accounts, and even accusations of unknowingly downloading illegal content.
“Jingbin Jiang and Su Jian Liu allegedly defrauded elderly victims of more than $5 million by utilizing extortionate tactics to coerce withdrawals of significant cash or purchases of gold,” stated FBI Assistant Director Raia. “This alleged conspiracy wielded fear of bankruptcy and arrest to ensure victims complied with the unlawful requests for money. The FBI is committed to apprehending any individual who utilizes online platforms to target and exploit vulnerable victims across the country.” The indictment details how victims were instructed to withdraw large sums of cash from their banks, fearing arrest or financial ruin if they didn’t comply.
NYPD Commissioner Tisch minced no words in condemning the alleged scheme. “These defendants allegedly led a nationwide fraud scheme with the goal of targeting innocent, elderly victims and stealing millions of their hard-earned savings,” she said. “Jingbin Jiang and Su Jian Liu allegedly participated in a plot involving elaborate, fictitious narratives to manipulate elderly victims and trick them into participating in their scheme, which involved attempts to steal over $18 million from 350 people. I am grateful to the members of the NYPD, FBI, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for holding these alleged predatory fraudsters accountable.” The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil. The search for Su Jian Liu continues.”
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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