Overview

• Agents executing coordinated searches in California, New York, Texas and Michigan seized more than $4.2 million in cash and several luxury vehicles.
• Victims numbered in the thousands and skewed elderly, including a 97-year-old San Diego widow who lost her life savings.
• Investigators describe a refund and tech-support playbook using unsolicited contacts, impersonation, remote-access tools and cash shipments to short‑term rentals.
• YouTube creators from Scammer Payback and Trilogy Media helped identify three defendants, with Zhiyi Zhang linked to about 59 cash packages and an estimated $1.8 million in losses.
• The indictments allege conduct dating to 2019 and continuing into April 2025, with all defendants charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering as initial court appearances proceed in San Diego.