Simi Valley, CA – A 21-year-old man from Los Angeles County was arrested as part of an ongoing investigation into a large-scale financial scam targeting an elderly resident.
On March 19, the Simi Valley Police Department apprehended Ruishan Liu, a West Covina resident, for his alleged role in a scam operation that involved tricking an elderly Simi Valley victim into withdrawing and handing over $200,000 in cash. The suspect, originally from China, reportedly manipulated the victim by claiming the large sum was needed for a bank security measure.
According to authorities, the victim was led to believe they were transferring funds to legitimate bank representatives, but in reality, they were interacting with scammers. This scheme eventually caught the attention of the Simi Valley Police Department, which, with help from the Ventura County Organized Retail Theft Task Force, orchestrated a sting operation.
Liu was arrested after arriving at an undisclosed location to collect a decoy package that was supposedly filled with the victim’s withdrawn cash. Officers took Liu into custody at the scene. He is currently being held at the Ventura Main Jail on a $150,000 bail, awaiting felony charges in connection to the scam.
While authorities have not confirmed if Liu had accomplices, his arrest highlights the growing prevalence of financial scams targeting vulnerable individuals. These scams can range from simple withdrawals to more elaborate schemes involving cryptocurrency or gift cards.
The Simi Valley Police Department urges the public to be cautious when dealing with unsolicited financial requests. For more information on common scams and how to identify them, visit the FBI website or report suspected fraud through the Internet Crime Complaint Center.
Liu’s court appearance is scheduled for April 10.
