Erik Nasarenko announced felony charges against Yanwen Gu and Shaohua Sun for their alleged involvement in an elder fraud scheme. Both defendants were arraigned on March 23, 2026, and entered not guilty pleas.
Prosecutors allege the pair participated in a coordinated scam targeting a senior citizen. On March 18, 2026, the victim received a text message asking him to verify a $350 purchase at an Apple Store. The message urged him to call a number immediately. During the call, a scammer falsely claimed the victim’s credit union accounts were tied to illegal content and directed him to contact what was presented as the Ventura County Credit Union fraud department.
A caller identifying herself as “Jade” instructed the victim to withdraw $25,000 in cash and deliver it to a supposed undercover police officer in Ventura as “evidence.” The victim was also given a code phrase to confirm the exchange. Believing the claims, the victim complied and handed over the cash to an unidentified individual at the meeting location.
Soon after, the victim and his spouse realized they had likely been defrauded and reported the incident to the Ventura Police Department.
The following day, while detectives were interviewing the victim, the scammer contacted him again, demanding an additional $50,000. Police quickly organized a sting operation, monitoring communications with suspects believed to be operating outside the United States.
A second meeting was arranged in Ventura on March 19, 2026. Authorities allege that Gu approached the victim, accepted the code phrase, and collected what she believed to be $50,000. She was immediately arrested after attempting to flee. Investigators say Sun acted as a lookout during the exchange and was also taken into custody at the scene.
Both defendants are being held on $500,000 bail and are scheduled to appear for an early disposition conference on April 2, 2026, at Ventura County Superior Court. The court has also ordered a review of any bail funds to ensure they are not derived from criminal activity.
The case is being handled by Senior Deputy District Attorney Dominic Kardum of the Fraud and Technology Crimes Unit.
