Jun Wang, a 63-year-old Chinese national and lawful permanent resident of the United States, has been convicted in federal court in Albany for his role in a money laundering conspiracy involving more than $2.2 million in Walmart gift cards.
The verdict followed a bench trial held in December 2025. Evidence showed that between June 2019 and June 2021, Wang redeemed $2,285,039.81 worth of gift cards that had originally been purchased by victims across the United States who were defrauded through online or phone scams. Wang received information about these gift cards electronically from co-conspirators located overseas.
Wang used the proceeds to purchase other gift cards at Walmart and Sam’s Club stores throughout Florida as part of an effort to conceal the origin and nature of the funds. He frequently changed registers within stores and traveled between multiple locations—sometimes visiting several Walmart stores on the same day—to avoid detection. In many cases, he redeemed the fraudulent gift cards just hours or even minutes after they had been bought by victims.
During the trial, several victims testified about buying gift cards after being deceived by scammers. Although Wang did not interact directly with any of these individuals, he admitted to an FBI agent during a secretly recorded conversation that “[w]e all know” about the fraud scheme, which is “[e]asy to know.” Referring to one elderly victim on tape, Wang stated: “[t]he only loser is the lady,” and “[o]ther than this lady, everybody’s happy.”
First Assistant U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III commented: “Wang was a knowing and essential player in a calculated, international scheme that preyed on victims, including the elderly, throughout the United States. We will tirelessly pursue and hold accountable individuals involved in every level of these fraud schemes. There is no safe harbor for those who profit from exploiting vulnerable Americans.”
Craig L. Tremaroli, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Albany Field Office added: “Mr. Wang was part of an international scheme that stole millions from hardworking Americans across the country and right here at home. This conviction illustrates the FBI, together with our law enforcement partners, will not tolerate this deceitful behavior, and will continue to provide our expert resources to investigate these crimes and prosecute the criminals who are intent on defrauding the American public.”
United States District Judge Mae A. D’Agostino presided over both the trial and sentencing proceedings; she issued her guilty verdict in a 20-page decision. Sentencing is scheduled for June 16, 2026. The charge carries up to 20 years imprisonment, a fine as high as $500,000 dollars, and up to three years supervised release upon completion of any prison term.
The case was investigated by agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with help from local law enforcement agencies nationwide. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael F. Perry, Michael D. Gadarian, and Tamara B. Thomson prosecuted.
