CROSSVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Two individuals from California have been arrested in Cumberland County, Tennessee, in connection with a complex scam operation that targeted a local resident.
According to the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO), suspects Hongqi Cui and Li Muxi were apprehended following a sting operation. The investigation was initiated after the Newnan, Georgia Police Department alerted authorities about a potential scam involving a resident in the Vandever community.
Deputies met with the victim, who explained that scammers had remotely accessed his computer and bank accounts, pretending to assist with a PayPal-related issue. Over time, they manipulated him into withdrawing large sums of cash and handing it over on five separate occasions. In two instances, the money was picked up directly from his home.
The scheme escalated when the scammers instructed the victim to withdraw another $70,000. At that point, CCSO intervened by launching a sting. Investigators provided the victim with a decoy package, which he was instructed to deliver as part of the ongoing scam.
While maintaining phone contact with the victim, the scammers required a password exchange before accepting the package. Investigators observed the suspects conducting counter-surveillance prior to the handoff. Once they took the bait, officers moved in and arrested both Cui and Muxi.
A search of the suspects’ vehicle revealed $16,000 in cash and a torn envelope containing the name of another potential victim.
Cui and Muxi face multiple charges, including theft of property, evading arrest, and resisting arrest. They are currently being held in the Cumberland County Jail on a $305,000 bond.
Authorities are urging the public to be cautious with any unsolicited financial requests, particularly those involving remote computer access or demands for cash deliveries.
“If you or someone you know has been contacted by a scammer or feels pressured to send money, please contact the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement agency immediately,” said CCSO officials.
