Overview
- Federal prosecutors announced the arrests of Yongbo Li, Huashan Lu and Yuxiang Zhao at a press conference Tuesday in Orlando on charges of conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
- Investigators say the suspects used threatening phone calls, emails and texts to coerce seniors into sending money orders, cashier's checks or cash to P.O. boxes in the Orlando/Winter Park area.
- The criminal complaint lists 28 victims so far and estimates roughly $2.2 million was stolen with individual losses as high as $240,000, and prosecutors say more victims are being identified.
- Three other suspects are wanted and believed to be in China where extradition is uncertain, and officials said the arrested defendants had overstayed visas.
- Authorities warn most funds are likely unrecoverable because the money moved quickly through shell companies and offshore accounts in places including China and Bahrain, and the Postal Inspection Service and local police say the probe is ongoing and seeking more victims.