{"id":54205,"date":"2023-09-30T13:57:25","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T20:57:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=54205"},"modified":"2023-09-30T14:06:09","modified_gmt":"2023-09-30T21:06:09","slug":"three-men-convicted-for-laundering-proceeds-of-large-scale-consumer-fraud","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cjnotebook.com\/?p=54205","title":{"rendered":"Three Men Convicted for Laundering Proceeds of Gift Card Scam"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"gavel,Three people were found guilty by a jury in Los Angeles of their participation in using gift card transactions to launder the proceeds of extensive consumer fraud schemes, federal officials announced this week.<\/p>\n

Blade Bai, Bowen Hu, and Tairan Shi were found guilty in a trial for conspiracy to launder wire fraud profits. Additionally, Bai was found guilty of a separate money laundering conspiracy charge.<\/p>\n

Scammers used tech support scams and government impostor scams as part of the plot.<\/p>\n

\"\"In a government imposter scam, con artists get in touch with victims and pretend to be representatives of the government, including agents from the Social Security Administration or local police officers, officials stated.<\/p>\n

The scammers deceitfully inform victims that they must buy gift cards to address a problem, frequently alleging that they are the subject of an active arrest warrant or that their Social Security number is not working correctly.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

In one instance, telephone con artists gave their victims instructions to buy Target gift cards and give the con artists the account numbers and access codes listed on the gift cards.<\/p>\n

The defendants then sent the gift card numbers to “runners,” who used the monies on the cards to buy consumer electronics, additional gift cards, and other products at Target shops (mainly in Los Angeles and Orange counties).<\/p>\n

\"\"In one case that was shown as proof at trial, runners working for the defendants used gift cards that came from an Illinois victim around 13 minutes after the victim bought the cards.<\/p>\n

The accused and their accomplices attempted to hide the purchases and other transactions made at several Target shops.<\/p>\n

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\u201cDefendants played a key role in victimizing American consumers,\u201d said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian M. Boynton, head of the Justice Department\u2019s Civil Division. \u201cThis case is a testament to the commitment of the department and our partners to ensuring that all those who knowingly facilitate fraud face justice.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis investigation is a good example of law enforcement collaboration coming together to protect communities from fraudulent activities,\u201d said Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Los Angeles \u201cHSI and its partners on the El Camino Real Financial Crimes Task Force will continue to track down criminal organizations preying on innocent victims and ensure they are held accountable.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese defendants knowingly laundered the proceeds of a fraudulent scheme that targeted vulnerable citizens, including older Americans,\u201d said Assistant Director in Charge Donald Always of the FBI Los Angeles Field Office. \u201cThis significant conviction should educate potential victims about the scam and send a message to anyone conducting similar schemes that the bureau and our partners are serious about combating this fraud.”<\/p>\n

Adding, anyone being asked to purchase a gift card to resolve a technical issue or avoid an arrest should not spend money but instead, make a report to the FBI at IC3.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n

A fourth defendant, Yan Fu, had previously pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 months in prison. Bai, Hu and Shi are scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 26.<\/p>\n

Trial Attorneys Wei Xiang and Meredith Healy of the Civil Division\u2019s Consumer Protection Branch and Assistant U.S. Attorney Monica Tait of the Major Frauds Section for the Central District of California prosecuted the case.<\/p>\n

If you purchased a gift card at the direction of a scammer, immediately call the gift card issuer and ask them to freeze the gift card numbers involved \u2013 and save your receipt and the gift card. Then, report the crime to the Federal Trade Commission at\u00a0www.reportfraud.ftc.gov\/#\/<\/a>\u00a0or 877-382-4357, to the FBI\u2019s Internet Crime Complaint Center at\u00a0www.ic3.gov<\/a>, and to your local police department.<\/p>\n

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311).<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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