Twenty-eight individuals are facing federal charges for their alleged roles in a $65 million fraud scheme that targeted thousands of seniors across the United States. The indictments, unsealed in San Diego, accuse members of a Chinese organized crime ring of conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Authorities report that 25 suspects have been arrested following coordinated operations in California, New York, Texas, and Michigan. The investigation led to the seizure of over $4.2 million from financial accounts and several luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes-Benz G63, Porsche Panamera, and GMC Yukon Denali.
According to court documents, the criminal network has operated since at least 2019 with roots in Southern California. The group is said to be primarily composed of Chinese nationals—many allegedly residing illegally in the U.S.—who worked closely with scam call centers based in India. Victims were contacted by scammers posing as technical support agents or government officials who used psychological manipulation to gain trust and access to victims’ computers. A common tactic involved convincing victims they had received mistaken refunds and pressuring them to return supposed excess funds via wire transfer, cash, or gift cards.
Cash was often sent using overnight couriers addressed under false names linked to fake IDs. These packages were delivered to short-term rentals controlled by conspirators who frequently changed locations.
A notable development in the case came through efforts by YouTube creators known for exposing scams. Pierogi from “Scammer Payback” collaborated with Trilogy Media on sting operations that documented key evidence against the suspects. Their videos published between 2020 and 2021 helped law enforcement identify several defendants named in the indictments—including Zhiyi Zhang, Dudu Chen, and Huajian Chen—and provided insight into how the operation functioned.
In one instance detailed by prosecutors, YouTubers posed as victims and were instructed by scammers to send cash packages addressed under aliases such as “Hans Bum.” Trilogy Media confronted Zhiyi Zhang at a South San Francisco address during a decoy delivery; Zhang admitted on camera to receiving packages for payment. This footage was shared with authorities who verified his identity through video evidence and rental records.
Federal agents arrested Zhiyi Zhang at Los Angeles International Airport on August 19, 2025.
“Not all heroes wear capes. Some have YouTube channels,” said U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon. “Our office will continue to be on the cutting edge of law enforcement techniques to ensure justice for vulnerable victims who have been defrauded by Chinese organized crime.”
“This investigation dismantled a predatory criminal organization that carried out a complex fraud scheme, manipulated victims throughout the country, and cost victims their hard-earned life savings,” said Shawn Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego. “HSI, the United States Attorney’s Office, and our law enforcement partners diligently pursued this organization to bring them to justice and help the victims that were impacted. HSI is dedicated to protecting our communities and the people of the United States from organizations that prey on the vulnerable for financial gain.”
“This alleged Chinese organized crime ring laundered money for fraudulent Indian call centers who targeted our nation’s elderly citizens,” said Special Agent in Charge Tyler Hatcher of IRS Criminal Investigation Los Angeles Field Office. “These arrest and seizure warrants demonstrate that IRS-CI is committed to protecting our most vulnerable citizens, while also taking the profit out of crime.”
The multi-year investigation was led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of California along with Homeland Security Investigations; it also involved assistance from multiple federal agencies including FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation units as well as various state and local law enforcement partners.
A motion hearing is scheduled for August 29 before U.S. District Judge Todd W. Robinson regarding case number 25CR1097-TWR; hearings for other cases are set for September 19 before Judge Robinson.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari is prosecuting these cases.
*The charges described are accusations; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.*
