PHOENIX (AZFamily) — A Maricopa County judge has sentenced a man for his role in a 2024 scam that prosecutors say stole tens of thousands of dollars from elderly residents across the Valley.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced Monday that 21-year-old Jixiong Zhang was sentenced to three and a half years in prison after acting as a courier in a fraud scheme.
The scam took place between October and December 2024, when scammers told the victims their bank accounts or online purchases had been compromised and were instructed to withdraw large amounts of cash.
The money was then handed to couriers, also known as money mules, sent to pick it up. Once scammers obtain a victim’s assets, they are typically shipped overseas or laundered.
Prosecutors said the victims in the cases were 83, 93, 94 and 99 years old, and that Zhang collected or tried to collect more than $112,500.
Zhang pleaded guilty to multiple felonies across three cases, including theft, money laundering and assisting a criminal organization. He was also ordered to pay $79,500 in restitution and received credit for 258 days already served.
“Targeting seniors in fraud schemes is particularly cruel,” County Attorney Rachel Mitchell said in a written statement. “These crimes steal more than money. They take away a sense of security and trust. We will continue to pursue and prosecute those who prey on older adults in our community.”
Prosecutors say Zhang is expected to face immigration proceedings after his sentence is complete.
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