The lead defendant in the prosecution of a national elder fraud ring to scam around $65 million from victims across the country pleaded guilty Tuesday in San Diego federal court.
Prosecutors say the scheme involved conspirators posing as tech support, government officials or bank employees who instructed victims to withdraw money in cash, then send it in packages to locations provided by members of the fraud ring.
The addresses where victims mailed their packages were short-term rentals, which prosecutors say allowed conspirators to quickly relocate and continue the scheme at new properties.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, a law enforcement investigation into the scheme began after a victim reported mailing thousands of dollars in packages that were addressed to a San Diego-area short-term rental.
Law enforcement was also aided by YouTube content creators who posted videos online exposing members of the scheme, prosecutors said. In sting operations, the creators, “Pierogi” of “Scammer Payback,” and two others from “Trilogy Media,” lured members of the conspiracy, then exposed them in videos.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said the posts helped law enforcement identify members of the fraud organization.
Hua Wang, 48, of Flushing, New York, was responsible for the collection of more than 2,000 cash packages that elderly victims sent to to the rental units. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy counts related to wire and mail fraud, as well as money laundering.
Eleven others in the case have pleaded guilty over the past two months, while two others are slated to enter guilty pleas later this month, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. More than 30 defendants, who range in age from 23 to 48, have been charged. Federal agents coordinated last summer to make arrests in Southern California, Texas, Michigan and New York.
Sentencings are set to begin July 7. Wang’s is set for Sept. 18.
