The suspect in a high-profile scam targeting seniors has been identified as 19-year-old Zhenyong Weng from Brooklyn, N.Y. Weng was arrested for allegedly defrauding an 82-year-old woman in Silver Spring through a government-imposter gold bar scheme. FOX 5 has been reporting on this issue extensively, highlighting the need to protect vulnerable senior citizens in the area.
In this particular case, the elderly victim lost $900,000 and was on the brink of losing an additional $2.5 million before authorities intervened. Police reported that in early May 2024, the victim was contacted by an unknown individual who convinced her to transfer her assets into gold bars to safeguard her money from being seized by Russia. Following the suspect’s instructions, the 82-year-old handed over several packages containing gold bars valued at over $900,000.
Weng was apprehended on July 15, 2024, around 5:22 p.m., in Silver Spring while attempting to collect another package from the victim, worth more than $70,000. This arrest was part of a coordinated effort by Montgomery County Police officers working alongside the Financial Crimes Section.
Authorities suspect there may be more victims and scammers involved in this scheme. Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy emphasized the urgency of warning the public. “This is not just happening in Montgomery County; it’s a nationwide issue where scammers are systematically targeting seniors for large sums of money,” he stated.
So far, at least 19 victims of this gold bar scam have been identified in Montgomery County, with three individuals charged, all currently held without bond. Investigators are still determining if these cases are interconnected.
McCarthy urges seniors to be vigilant: “Do not click on pop-up ads or engage with these scammers. If you receive such a call, hang up and contact the police.” He has been actively visiting senior living communities, like Leisure World, to educate residents about these scams, as victims often lose their life savings.
Unfortunately, it is unlikely that the 82-year-old woman will recover her $900,000, as the gold bars are untraceable, and their current location is unknown.
Weng is currently being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.
