LAS VEGAS — A major tech scam operation has led to the arrest of 12 individuals in Las Vegas, with two men—Guo Zhongquin, 43, and Lin Lin, 45—already sentenced for their roles in the scheme that stole millions from unsuspecting victims.
The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) launched an investigation after 24 victims came forward, reporting a collective loss of more than $3 million. Authorities believe the actual number of victims may be higher.
“These scams are designed to make people panic,” said Captain Noel Roberts of the LVMPD’s Theft Crimes Bureau. “Victims shouldn’t feel embarrassed—reporting these crimes quickly gives us the best chance of catching the suspects and recovering money.”
The scam typically begins with fake electronic alerts—pop-ups, spoofed emails, or text messages made to look like they’re from banks or tech companies. Victims are falsely warned that their computer or financial accounts have been compromised.
Fraudsters then pose as tech support or security professionals and convince victims to hand over large sums of cash to fake “couriers” for “safekeeping” while the issue is resolved.
In one case last August, a Las Vegas woman lost $70,000 after responding to a fake computer warning. She made two $35,000 cash drops at different locations, thinking she was protecting her data. Surveillance footage linked the incident to a vehicle with California plates, leading to the arrests of Zhongquin and Lin.
Both men accepted plea deals for possession of stolen property and expressed remorse during sentencing.
“I just want to apologize to all the victims,” Zhongquin said through a translator, a sentiment echoed by Lin.
Judge Tara Clark Newberry sentenced each man to 19 to 48 months in prison and ordered them to pay restitution. As part of the plea agreement, prosecutors did not push for longer sentences.
LVMPD encourages anyone who believes they’ve been targeted by a similar scam to report it immediately. The department also reminds residents to be cautious of unsolicited tech support messages and to never hand over cash to anyone claiming to fix a computer or financial issue.
