CALIFORNIA – The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced January 28 that a California woman pleaded guilty in federal court. 

She admitted to participating in an international fraud and money laundering scheme that defrauded more than 40 elderly victims of over $1.2 million.

According to court documents, the case stems from a May 2025 call center scam targeting elderly individuals in California and across the United States.

Jing Guo, 36, of San Gabriel, and others posed as legitimate tech support representatives, claiming a victim’s computer or account had been compromised and tricking them into paying for unnecessary or fake repairs.

They contacted victims claiming a refund was owed and manipulated them into providing banking information or transferring money to correct a supposed overpayment.

The criminals posed as banks or financial institutions via calls, texts, and emails, pressuring victims to reveal sensitive information or transfer funds to fraudulent accounts.

Guo admitted meeting victims in person to collect funds. She kept part of the fraud proceeds and passed the rest to other conspirators.

Guo is scheduled to be sentenced April 27 at 10 a.m. before U.S. District Judge Linda Lopez. She faces up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.

Victims of financial fraud can get help

If you or someone you know is 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 report fraud to local law enforcement or the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.

The FBI requests that victims report:

• The name of the person or company that contacted you.
• Methods of communication used, including websites, emails, and telephone numbers.
• Any bank account number(s) to which you wired funds and the recipient name(s).

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