SEAFORD, Del. — Delaware State Police have arrested two New York residents in connection with a felony theft investigation involving a courier scam that targeted an elderly Seaford man.
Authorities said the case began on March 25, when an 84-year-old victim reported that he may have been scammed. According to investigators, the incident started days earlier when a pop-up message appeared on the victim’s computer, locking him out and instructing him to call a number for assistance.
After contacting the number, the victim was allegedly manipulated into withdrawing a large amount of cash. He was then instructed to hand over the money to a courier who arrived at his home the following day.
While officers were at the victim’s residence, the scammers reportedly reached out again, attempting to arrange another cash pickup. This allowed Sussex County Financial Crimes detectives, along with the Special Investigations Unit, to identify two suspects: 51-year-old Dongjun Zou and 47-year-old Wulian Fan, both from New York.
Police conducted a traffic stop on a Nissan SUV driven by Zou, leading to the arrest of both individuals.
Zou faces multiple felony charges, including theft involving a victim over the age of 62, attempted theft, conspiracy, and handling proceeds of criminal activity. He was released on an $18,000 unsecured bond.
Fan has been charged with attempted theft and conspiracy, both felonies, and was released on a $5,000 unsecured bond.
Delaware State Police are urging the public to remain cautious of similar scams. Officials emphasize that legitimate organizations will never demand payments through cash, gift cards, cryptocurrency, or couriers. Residents are advised to pause and verify any suspicious requests with trusted sources before taking action.
Authorities also encourage the public to stay informed about common fraud tactics to avoid falling victim to such schemes.
