Arrest of Suspect in Fraud Scheme 

July 18, 2024 – Monterey County Sheriff's Office officials report that on July 12, 2024, a sophisticated fraud scheme targeted a Monterey County resident. The scheme began with the victim opening an email appearing to be from a well-known company.

The suspects identified themselves as “federal agents” and convinced the victim to provide his financial and personal identifying information. The victim was told federal agents had reason to believe the victim had committed various crimes and he needed to provide “federal agents” with a large amount of cash to prove his innocence. Further explaining the cash would be used in an undercover operation to catch “the real suspects.” The victim was warned not to contact local law enforcement.

The victim agreed to cooperate in hopes of clearing his name and withdrew a large amount of cash from his bank. A suspect arrived at the victim’s residence posing as a federal agent and collected the money from the victim. The victim later received another call from a suspect, again posing as a federal agent. The suspect demanded more money and again threatened to arrest the victim if he did not cooperate.

On July 16, 2024, a suspect (later identified as Yang Liu, 34-year-old male resident of Alhambra, CA.) drove to the victim’s residence expecting to collect money from the victim. Sheriff’s Detectives and Patrol Deputies arrested the suspect shortly after the suspect arrived.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to remind residents to use extreme caution as fraudsters can be very sophisticated and often claim to be members of law enforcement, federal agents, customer service agents, or employees of a well-known company. Fraudsters often attempt to convince potential victims that they will be arrested or face financial harm if they do not cooperate and provide all requested information.

Mr. Yang Liu was booked into the Monterey County Jail for the following charges: Two counts of 532 PC (Theft by false pretenses), two counts of 368(d) PC (Theft from Elders), 2 counts of 182(a)(1) PC (Conspiracy to commit a felony).

This investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are expected. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Scariot at 831-253-6076.

Source: Monterey County Sheriff's Office