SAN GABRIEL VALLEY, Calif. — Tai Su, 49, of West Covina, was sentenced Wednesday to 10 months in federal prison and ordered to pay $102,550 in restitution after targeting two elderly victims in a complex online phishing scam that locked their home computer and extorted thousands of dollars.
Su pleaded guilty in January to one federal count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The scam began in April 2024 when the victims received a malicious email containing a link that unleashed malware on their computer. The virus locked their system and displayed a fake “Microsoft Support” phone number.
When the victims called, they spoke to scammers who falsely claimed their bank accounts at City National Bank had been hacked. The victims were connected to a person posing as a “fraud and risk investigator,” who instructed them to withdraw $25,000 in cash and hand it over to two men impersonating federal agents.
These fake agents, one displaying a counterfeit badge, visited the victims’ home to collect the cash. Over the next two days, the fraudsters continued demanding more money, including a $10,000 withdrawal at a local bank branch.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) learned of the ongoing scheme and set up a sting operation. On April 26, 2024, after arranging another $35,000 cash payment, Tai Su showed up at the victims’ home claiming to be from Coinbase, a cryptocurrency platform, and was promptly arrested by HSI agents. He was carrying thousands in cash at the time.
This case highlights the dangers of phishing scams targeting vulnerable elderly individuals and the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat cybercrime.
