Jiaan Cao, a 33-year-old citizen of China, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to a May 6 announcement by U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. Cao faces up to 20 years in federal prison and is scheduled for sentencing on July 31.
The case highlights the use of deceptive tactics targeting individuals through fraudulent communications and impersonation schemes. Authorities say that from at least October through December 12, 2024, Cao and others worked together to access a victim’s computer and pose as representatives of the victim’s financial institution.
Court documents show that the conspirators informed victims their accounts had been compromised by criminal activity. Victims were then instructed to withdraw money from their accounts and purchase gold under the pretense it would be kept safe by a “federal agent.” In reality, this individual was another member of the conspiracy. Members coordinated these efforts using electronic communications that included sharing victims’ location details.
Cao was arrested on December 12, 2024 at a residence in Marion County when he arrived to collect gold obtained through this scheme. The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg is prosecuting the case.
The outcome underscores ongoing law enforcement efforts against wire fraud conspiracies involving sophisticated impersonation tactics.
