2 Men Arrested In $700K Carrier Scam Targeting PGC Residents

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Two men from New York and California have been charged in connection to a carrier scam that targeted a Prince George's woman.

On May 15, the Prince George's County Police Department’s Financial Crimes Unit opened an investigation after the victim contacted them regarding a scam. She said on April 28, she received a call from an unknown number warning her of fraudulent activity on her Apple ID. The caller, who impersonated a Federal Trade Commission agent, convinced the victim that several of her accounts were comprised. She was instructed to withdraw cash from her bank in order to secure her money. On two separate occasions, the victim handed over tens of thousands of dollars to imposter FTC representatives who came to her home, according to police.

Following an investigation, PGPD FCU detectives arrested 30-year-old Zheng Xie of Flushing, New York, and 27-year-old Jianwei Wang of Monterey Park, California, on May 23. A grand jury indicted both suspects last week. They have been charged with conspiracy to commit theft scheme and related charges.

PGPD detectives have been able to identify two additional victims linked to these suspects. So far, the three known victims have lost a combined $700,000. Detectives believe the suspects and their potential co-conspirators victimized other residents in the county who are urged to come forward.

"The PGPD reminds all residents to never give money, gold, gift cards or anything else of value to someone you do not know, even if they are posing as representatives from legitimate businesses, banking institutions or government agencies. You should also contact your bank if necessary using the number on the back of your bank card," the police department stated.

Last month, detectives arrested 25-year-old Parmveer Parmveer of Grove City, Ohio. He’s been charged in connection to a scam that originated as a pop-up alert on the victim’s laptop urging the victim to contact Apple security using a number provided. Multiple scammers communicated with victims by posing as security personnel and also a representative from the Federal Trade Commission, according to Prince George's County Police.

The scammers convinced the victims their money was not secure and to withdraw cash from their bank account and deposit it into a Bitcoin ATM. The scammers also convinced the victims to take out more money and purchase gold from a local dealer. Scammers then arranged for a carrier to pick up the gold from the victim’s home multiple times. Detectives were able to arrest Parmveer when he went to a home for one of the arranged pickups. The victims in this case were defrauded of nearly $700,000 dollars in cash and gold bars, the police department stated.

Detectives also charged 47-year-old Gyoung Lee of Flushing, New York, in connection to a case where the victim received a pop-up on his computer advising him to contact Microsoft Support to discuss a security issue using a provided number. The scammers posed as a tech support agent as well as a representative from the U.S. Treasury Department, the police department stated.

In order to secure his money, the victim was convinced to make multiple cash withdrawals from his bank account and to then hand over the money to a carrier who picked up the cash from his home. Investigators arrested Lee when he arrived at the victim’s home to pick up cash. This victim lost $40,000 to the scammers, according to the police department.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, call PGPD detectives at 301-516-1464. Anyone with information who wants to contact Crime Solvers can call 1-866-411-TIPS (8477), or go online at www.pgcrimesolvers.com, or use the “P3 Tips” mobile app (search “P3 Tips” in the Apple Store or Google Play to download the app onto a mobile device.) You can remain anonymous.