Seng Xiong, 49, of Maplewood, Minn., was convicted after a two-week federal trial for running a fraudulent scheme that preyed on Hmong elders’ hopes of returning to a promised homeland. The jury returned guilty verdicts on one count of wire fraud and one count of mail fraud in under two hours, sealing Xiong’s fate in a case that exposed the exploitation of a community shaped by war and displacement.
Prosecutors proved Xiong operated through an organization called “Hmong Tebchaws,” where he collected $3,000 to $5,000 from elderly victims who believed they were investing in a future nation in Southeast Asia. In exchange, Xiong promised victims 10 acres of land, a house, free healthcare, free education, and guaranteed financial support for elders over 65 — benefits that never materialized because the country didn’t exist.
Xiong lied to his victims, claiming he had secret agreements with the White House and the United Nations to establish the Hmong homeland. He even fabricated stories about land already being secured in Southeast Asia, using official-sounding jargon and forged documents to lend credibility to his scam. Some victims, unable to pay the full amount upfront, were lured in with a $20 monthly payment plan — a small price, they believed, for generational security.
“Seng Xiong took the Hmong people’s tragic history of war and displacement and manipulated that for his own benefit,” said Assistant United States Attorney Amber Brennan. “We hope today’s verdict sends a message that the United States will protect those who have been defrauded.” She specifically praised the Saint Paul Police Department, which serves the largest population of Hmong immigrants in the nation, for their relentless pursuit of justice.
The investigation was a multi-agency effort led by the Saint Paul Police Department, United States Secret Service, FBI, Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force, and Appleton Police Department. Special assistance came from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of California. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Amber M. Brennan and Surya Saxena.
Seng Xiong now faces years in federal prison, though a sentencing date has not yet been set. Authorities urge anyone who may have been victimized by the scheme to contact the Minnesota Financial Crimes Task Force at mspectf@usss.dhs.gov. The case stands as a stark reminder: even the most sacred dreams can be twisted into tools of theft.
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Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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