Two Californians have been arrested in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, on charges related to a sophisticated phone scam that targeted an elderly woman. The investigation began on November 21 after a 71-year-old Crafton resident reported a disturbing phone call two days earlier. The scammers, identified as 34-year-old Shuai Jiao and 35-year-old Daxue Yang, falsely claimed to represent the Amazon Fraud Department.
The victim was manipulated into believing her Amazon profile was involved in illegal activities, including firearms, narcotics, and pornography, amounting to over $360,000 in criminal conduct. The scammers threatened that she would face criminal charges unless she followed their instructions. As part of their scheme, the victim was coerced into transferring $97,400 from her bank account to purchase gold coins.
Jiao and Yang, who had no known ties to Pittsburgh, further manipulated the victim by convincing her to act secretly to protect her financial assets. They promised to send her a check for a new bank account once the gold was delivered.
The scam began to unravel when local police, in collaboration with the FBI, worked with the victim to track down the perpetrators. Jiao and Yang were arrested in the parking lot of a Giant Eagle store in Pittsburgh. They now face multiple charges, including theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, and financial exploitation of an older adult.
Both men are currently detained without bail at the Allegheny County Jail.
