A Maricopa County judge has sentenced a 21-year-old man for his involvement in a fraud scheme that targeted elderly residents across the Phoenix metropolitan area in 2024.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced Monday that Jixiong Zhang received a prison sentence of three and a half years for serving as a courier in the scam operation.
According to prosecutors, the scheme ran between October and December 2024. Scammers contacted elderly victims and falsely claimed their bank accounts or online purchases had been compromised. The victims were then instructed to withdraw large amounts of cash to “protect” their funds.
Once the money was withdrawn, couriers—often referred to as “money mules”—were dispatched to collect the cash directly from the victims. Authorities say the stolen funds were typically sent overseas or laundered after being collected.
Investigators said the victims involved in the cases were particularly vulnerable, ranging in age from 83 to 99 years old. Zhang allegedly collected or attempted to collect more than $112,500 from the victims.
Court records show Zhang pleaded guilty to several felony charges across three separate cases, including theft, money laundering, and assisting a criminal organization.
In addition to his prison sentence, the court ordered Zhang to pay $79,500 in restitution to the victims. He also received credit for 258 days he had already spent in custody.
“Targeting seniors in fraud schemes is particularly cruel,” Mitchell said in a statement. “These crimes steal more than money—they also take away a sense of security and trust. Our office will continue to prosecute those who exploit older adults in our community.”
Prosecutors added that Zhang is expected to face immigration proceedings once he completes his prison sentence.
