Overview

• Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of California unsealed four indictments alleging a transnational network tied to Chinese organized crime defrauded mostly seniors of about $65 million.
• Authorities arrested 25 of the 28 defendants in coordinated actions across California, New York, Texas and Michigan, seizing more than $4.2 million in cash and impounding luxury vehicles.
• The defendants are charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering, offenses that carry potential decades-long prison terms and significant fines if convicted.
• Prosecutors say the scheme used unsolicited calls or emails to stage false refund scenarios, then pressured victims to return funds via wires, cash, gift cards or packages sent to short-term rentals.
• A 97-year-old San Diego widow of a Holocaust survivor lost her life savings, and investigators credit YouTubers Pierogi and Trilogy Media with evidence that helped identify several suspects.