By Redacción
Redaccion@latinocc.com
Prosecutors in Southern California have filed multiple felony charges against two suspects accused of participating in a sophisticated fraud scheme that targeted an elderly resident and resulted in the theft of tens of thousands of dollars, authorities said.
Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko announced charges against Yanwen Gu, 39, of Rosemead, and Shaohua Sun, 39, of Monterey Park. Both defendants face counts including conspiracy to commit grand theft and attempted grand theft in connection with what officials described as a coordinated elder fraud operation.
Gu and Sun were arraigned March 23 and pleaded not guilty. They remain in custody on $500,000 bail each and are scheduled to appear for an early disposition conference on April 2 in Ventura County Superior Court.
Sophisticated scam used fear and impersonation
According to investigators, the scheme began March 18 when the elderly victim received a text message asking him to confirm a $350 purchase at an Apple Store. The message included a phone number urging immediate contact.
When the victim called, a co-conspirator falsely claimed that his credit union accounts were linked to child sexual abuse content allegedly based in Canada, creating panic and confusion.
The victim was then instructed to contact what was presented as the “Ventura County Credit Union Fraud Department.” A woman identifying herself as “Jade” told the victim to withdraw $25,000 in cash and deliver it to an undercover police officer in Ventura as part of an “investigation.”
To complete the transaction, the victim was given a code phrase to verify the identity of the supposed officer.
Authorities said the victim complied, withdrew the money, and met an unidentified individual who collected the cash after the code phrase was provided.
Shortly after the exchange, the victim and his spouse became suspicious and contacted the Ventura Police Department.
Police sting leads to arrests
While detectives were interviewing the victim the following day, the suspect posing as “Jade” contacted him again, this time demanding $50,000.
Investigators quickly organized a controlled operation, monitoring calls believed to involve fraudsters operating outside the United States.
A second meeting was arranged in Ventura under police supervision. Authorities said Gu approached the victim, accepted the code phrase, and took what she believed was $50,000 in cash.
She was immediately taken into custody after attempting to flee on foot, police said.
Sun was also arrested at the scene and is accused of acting as a lookout during the exchange.
Prosecutors said both suspects played coordinated roles in the scheme, which relied on impersonation, psychological pressure, and urgency to manipulate the victim.
The court has ordered a review of any bail funds posted on behalf of the defendants to ensure they are not derived from criminal activity.
Authorities warn of rising elder fraud cases
The case is being prosecuted by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit.
Officials warn that similar scams are increasingly targeting older adults, often using fear tactics, impersonation of authorities, and urgent financial demands.
The FBI advises the public to be cautious of unsolicited messages, resist pressure to act quickly, and never share sensitive personal information over the phone or electronically.
Authorities urge anyone who believes they may be a victim of fraud to contact law enforcement immediately.
