CALIFORNIA – Twenty-eight alleged members of a Chinese crime ring face federal charges in a $65 million scheme targeting thousands of U.S. seniors.

After a nationwide weeklong takedown, 25 defendants were arrested, all charged with conspiracy to commit mail and wire fraud and money laundering.

Federal agents executed over a dozen search and seizure warrants this week. They seized $4.2 million and luxury cars, including a Mercedes G63, Porsche Panamera, and GMC Yukon Denali.

Victims lured by unsolicited calls or emails

Since 2019, the Southern California-based network, largely composed of Chinese nationals, collaborated with India-based scam call centers. Records show fraudsters posed as tech support, government officials, or bank employees.

Victims were lured by unsolicited calls or emails to unknowingly contact India-based scam centers. Scammers used scripts and psychological manipulation to gain victims’ trust and often remote computer access. 

The most common scam convinced victims they had received a mistaken refund. The scammers pressured or threatened victims to return the alleged excess funds via wire transfer, cash, or gift cards.

Victims sending cash were told to use overnight couriers to fake names with false IDs. These went to U.S. short-term rentals used by conspirators, including the indicted defendants, to collect the fraud proceeds.

YouTubers Scammer Payback and Trilogy Media helped document crime ring

Notably, YouTuber Pierogi from “Scammer Payback” helped document key evidence. Pierogi teamed with two “Trilogy Media” YouTubers to publish videos on their channels. 

Scammer Payback and Trilogy Media baited fraudsters, confronted them on camera, and posted the videos online.

Videos from 2020-2021 helped law enforcement identify Zhiyi Zhang, Dudu Chen, and Huajian Chen. All three are named in the indictments. 

The videos revealed how the conspiracy operated and identified high-level members.

For example, Zhiyi Zhang allegedly used short-term rentals under the aliases “Cream Pablo” and “Hans Bum” to receive victims’ packages. He and others were paid per package and often moved to evade law enforcement.

Zhang alone is linked to at least $1.8 million in losses, the government says in a detention memo.

The memo says Scammer Payback (Pierogi) and Trilogy Media posed as victims to expose scammers. During one operation, Pierogi was instructed to send cash to “Hans Bum” in South San Francisco.

Trilogy Media delivered a decoy package and confronted the recipient, who was Zhiyi Zhang. He revealed his real identity and admitted on camera to receiving packages for money, exposing his role.

The YouTubers gave the footage to law enforcement, who confirmed Zhang’s identity with video, rental records, and other evidence.

Federal agents arrested Zhang on August 19, 2025, at Los Angeles International Airport.

Face 40 years in prison

U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon said not all heroes wear capes. Some have YouTube channels.

“Our office will continue to be on the cutting edge of law enforcement techniques to ensure justice for vulnerable victims who have been defrauded by Chinese organized crime,” said Gordon.

The defendants face two charges – conspiracy to commit mail fraud and wire fraud, carrying a maximum of 40 years in prison and a $1 million fine, and conspiracy to launder money, punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

The charge also carries a fine of $500,000 or twice the laundered amount, whichever is greater.

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