A Chinese national is facing federal charges for posing as a federal agent to defraud a Belleville senior out of more than $70,000.
Zhigang Lian, 42, a Chinese national and lawful resident of La Puente, California, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud.
U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft warned that federal authorities will never call to demand personal or financial information over the phone, and scammers are preying on vulnerable victims through imposter scams.
Lian is accused of defrauding a 76-year-old Belleville resident who received a scam text message purporting to be from Apple and explaining a transaction was detected for $258.
The victim withdrew $25,000 and handed it over to a conspirator on June 17, and Lian is accused of posing as a federal agent and picking up $45,000 from the victim on July 1.
Lian is being held without bond and faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment and fines up to $250,000 if convicted.
The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Metropolitan Enforcement Group Special Investigations, and the U.S. Secret Service, with assistance from the Illinois State Police.
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Key Facts
- State: Illinois
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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