A man linked to a national crime organization who allegedly hid behind his computer screen to scam elderly victims of their savings has been arrested in Martin County.
The Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) stated that Weikai Zhang stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from unsuspecting seniors through a deceptive pop-up scam.
According to the article, after scamming a local senior person of over $50,000, Zhang, 43, escaped Florida and wound up in New York.
According to officials, the Martin County Sheriff’s criminal investigations detectives and the United States Marshals Fugitive Task Force worked together to identify and apprehend Zhang in New York.
Furthermore, Zhang is said to be affiliated with a national crime organization that targets the elderly and defrauds them of their life savings online.
While in Florida, he was responsible for over $613,000 in thefts from a variety of victims, including a resident of Palm City.
Zhang is now facing accusations of organized scheme to defraud, exploitation of a person 65 years or older, and conspiracy to commit grand theft. His bond is set at $700,000.
Martin County Sheriff John Budensiek advises folks to be wary of online popups.
“If you get something that’s suspicious at all don’t call the number that’s on the screen,” Budensiek said. “Don’t email the email that’s provided on there, go away from that holistically and then move over to the actual website for the organization that’s being represented.
