Investigators in Manatee County, Florida, recently uncovered a shocking scam targeting senior citizens after a 79-year-old woman reported losing over $200,000 to fraudulent cryptocurrency schemes. In a bizarre twist, while law enforcement was interviewing her about the incident, the scammers called her once more, attempting to arrange another cash pickup valued at $30,000. Unbeknownst to the crooks, sheriff’s detectives were present, which led to an undercover sting operation.
The scam operation, which authorities claim took more than $3.5 million from over 40 victims, began in July 2025 when a local man reported receiving a call from someone impersonating a Federal Trade Commission agent. According to Detective Gary Cummings, the scammers employed a familiar tactic: creating a fake emergency to instill fear and urgency, pressuring individuals to send money immediately.
When a woman arrived at the man’s residence to collect cash, he took photos of her and her vehicle, subsequently alerting the police. This evidence led to the identification and arrest of Xin Liu, a 40-year-old Chinese national residing in Apopka on an H-1B visa. Liu, acting as a courier, visited multiple locations across Florida between July 22 and 30, 2025, collecting cash from victims, including those residing in assisted-living facilities. She presented herself under an alias as an FBI investigator.
Liu pleaded guilty to her charges and was sentenced in June 2026 to 27 months in federal prison along with restitution payments. Her arrest opened the door to uncovering more victims, including the 79-year-old woman, who had already suffered significant financial losses.
The return call that facilitated the sting led to the apprehension of a second courier, a 52-year-old individual also charged with conspiracy and fraud. A subsequent arrest involved a 56-year-old courier facing the same accusations. Both suspects are currently presumed innocent, as their cases remain pending. Investigators have also found thousands of suspected counterfeit goods connected to the operation, prompting a separate investigation by federal authorities.
The scam highlights a disturbing trend affecting older Americans. In 2024, the FBI reported 525 gold-courier complaints and estimated losses exceeding $219 million. For 2025, victims aged 60 and older reported more than $7.7 billion in losses to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, marking a significant 37% increase from the previous year.
To protect oneself from becoming a victim, Detective Cummings emphasizes the importance of taking a moment to pause and verify any requests for money. He advises against responding to suspicious calls or emails and encourages individuals to check with a trusted family member or the legitimate agency being referenced. No government agency would request payment in cash, gift cards, or cryptocurrency, nor send someone to collect money in person.
For those who suspect they have been targeted or victimized, the U.S. Justice Department has established a National Elder Fraud Hotline at 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311), and individuals may file complaints with the Federal Trade Commission at reportfraud.ftc.gov.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells has described the operation as a predatory scheme aimed squarely at the elderly, stripping them of their life savings. He credits the investigation’s breakthrough to the evidence provided by victims, which enabled law enforcement to take critical action.
