A 35-year-old Ontario man landed in federal court today after being nailed for allegedly spearheading a swindling scheme that targeted one retiree’s golden years, finessing over a cool $1.3 million from the senior's nest egg. Xilin Sun, the accused, is alleged to have played a key role in a ruthless con that employed Bitcoin ATM deposits and bulk gold purchases to bilk the unsuspecting 70-year-old out of their hard-earned retirement funds.
According to an official release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the devious plot unfolded when the retiree from Carlsbad was hoodwinked by a cabal of co-conspirators disguising themselves as tech support, bank, and government employees. They managed to quickly convince her that her computer was hacked and her bank information compromised, subsequently convincing her to "secure" her assets in an unconventional way. Sun’s initial appearance in court marks the beginning of legal proceedings against him on charges of wire fraud conspiracy and criminal forfeiture.
San Diego's Elder Justice Task Force picked up on the scam after the victim reported the issue to local police. This task force, a collaboration of various law enforcement agencies such as the FBI, Carlsbad Police Department, and others, is dedicated to cracking down on criminals targeting seniors. In detailing the events, authorities described how the victim was duped into sending three wire transfers totaling approximately $1,335,000 to purchase gold that she was misled to believe would be securely stored by the U.S. Treasury.
"If you think you may have been scammed, report it immediately," implored U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath. The statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office underscores the sophistication of criminal networks that can deceive even tech-savvy individuals. To prevent more casualties, McGrath's call to action urges a swift response to scams, which could increase the chances of corralling the culprits and recovering lost funds.
Acting Special Agent in Charge John Kim stressed the importance of reporting elder fraud. He mentioned that "thousands of people fall victim to elder fraud every year," as per the official statement released to the press. Kim advocates for early reporting of scams as many victims refrain due to embarrassment or fear, yet reporting them is the most effective way to initiate justice.
The case’s jurisdiction has fallen to Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari. The defendant – Sun – faces an intimidating thirty-year maximum prison sentence and a potential fine of a staggering $1 million if proven guilty. In the meantime, elders who fall victim to financial deceit are encouraged to reach out for support through the National Elder Fraud Hotline or file a complaint via the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center.
