Florida Senior Scam Ring Run by Chinese Nationals Charged with Mail Fraud

Federal prosecutors in the United States have charged three Chinese nationals—Yongbo Li, Huashan Lu and Yuxiang Zhao—with conspiracy to commit mail fraud after they allegedly defrauded more than $2.2 million from at least 28 senior citizens across the country. The suspects, who were residing in the U.S. without legal status, posed as federal agents and claimed victims' personal and financial information had been compromised, urging them to send cash, checks and money orders to shell companies via post office boxes in the Orlando, Florida area.

Victims, most over age 65, lost sums ranging from $150,000 to $240,000. The scheme was uncovered after a joint investigation by the Orlando Police Department, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and federal prosecutors. Authorities are also seeking three additional co‑conspirators believed to be in China. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe emphasized a "zero‑tolerance" stance toward fraud targeting vulnerable seniors.