May 23, 2024 - SAN DIEGO – Jiaci Liu appeared in federal court yesterday following his arrest for engaging in a multinational fraud conspiracy targeting seniors, including a 63-year-old man from Poway. 

According to a federal complaint, the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force (ETJF) learned of the fraud scheme after the victim reported to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department that he been duped as part of a layered tech support, bank impersonation and government impersonation scam.

Specifically, while on his personal computer, a pop-up window appeared indicating there was a possible virus on his computer and instructing him to contact a phone number. When he contacted the number, he was transferred through a series of co-conspirators pretending to work in tech support. The victim was informed that his computer had viruses.  The victim was then transferred to another conspirator who claimed to be from the victim’s bank.  During that interaction, the victim was told there were unauthorized transfers from his bank.  The victim was instructed to go immediately to his bank and to withdraw all his money for safekeeping. 

At the direction of the conspirators, the victim went to his bank and withdrew $28,000.  The victim was then instructed by the conspirators that someone from the U.S. Marshals Service would come to his house to pick up the money.  After the interaction, the victim became suspicious and contacted the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, which informed the victim to contact them if anyone showed up to pick up the money.

According to the complaint, on June 9, 2023, defendant Jiaci Liu arrived at the victim’s residence. The victim called the police, who arrived and found Liu outside the victim’s home.  Liu’s cellphone was seized and later searched.  Investigators located evidence indicating that in just one week in June 2023, Liu had picked up over $348,000 dollars from multiple victims located in Southern California and Phoenix, Arizona. 

“Everyone with a computer is vulnerable to sophisticated scams like the one alleged in this case,” said U.S. Attorney Tara McGrath.  “If you think you’ve been targeted, report it quickly. The faster the report comes in, the more likely we are to catch the scammers and recover any swindled money.”

“Individuals committing tech scams are getting more and more innovative with the methods they use to con innocent people,” said FBI San Diego Acting Special Agent in Charge Houtan Moshrefi. “The FBI and its law enforcement partners continually adapt our strategies so that we can stay ahead of those who scheme and collude to defraud the American public. We are committed to ensuring each of these individuals is brought to justice.”

A detention hearing is scheduled for May 24, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge David D. Leshner. 

This case was investigated by the San Diego Elder Justice Task Force and its member agencies, including the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, Carlsbad Police Department, San Diego Police Department, and the California Highway Patrol.

If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has been a victim of financial fraud, help is available through the National Elder Fraud Hotline: 1-833 FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). You can also report fraud to any local law enforcement agency or on the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin Mokhtari.

DEFENDANT                                               Case Number 24MJ1929-MSB                               

Jiaci Liu                                                          Age: 34                                   Monterey Park, California

SUMMARY OF CHARGES

Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud – Title 18, U.S.C., Section 1349

Criminal Forfeiture – Title 18, U.S.C., Sections 981(a)(1)(C), 982(a)(2)(A), and Title 28, U.S.C., Section 2461(c)

Maximum Penalties: Thirty years in prison; $1 million fine

INVESTIGATING AGENCIES

Federal Bureau of Investigation

San Diego County District Attorney’s Office
San Diego County Sheriff’s Department

San Diego Police Department

San Diego Elder Justice Task Force

*The charges and allegations contained in an indictment or complaint are merely accusations, and the defendants are considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: DOJ Release