WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two men were arrested after allegedly posing as federal agents and attempting to collect gold bars from an 85-year-old District resident, the Metropolitan Police Department announced Friday.
Police said the scheme began July 8, when scammers contacted the victim by email and phone. They allegedly claimed money in the victim’s bank account was at risk and instructed him to protect it by buying gold bars and turning them over to the purported agents.
The victim attempted to purchase more than $200,000 in gold, but the dealer recognized signs of a scam and alerted MPD’s Financial and Cyber Crimes Unit and the FBI, according to the department.
Investigators arrested the two men when they arrived at the victim’s home to retrieve the gold bars. MPD identified them as Chu Lin, 50, of Fresh Meadows, New York, and Xiean Cheng, 42, of Cornelius, North Carolina. Both were charged with second-degree financial fraud. Charges are allegations, and defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
MPD asked anyone with information about the incident to call 202-727-9099 or text 50411. The case is identified as CCN 26102601.
Source: Metropolitan Police Department official release.
Featured image: Gold bullion bars. Photo by Stevebidmead via Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
The Washington Herald
editorial@thewashingtonherald.com
Washington, D.C.
Be First to Comment