SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP., Pa. — A second New York man has been charged in connection with an alleged scam that convinced a 78-year-old woman to purchase and surrender hundreds of thousands of dollars in gold.
South Whitehall Township Police announced Wednesday that Tianhang Zhou, of New York, faces multiple felony charges, including financial exploitation of an older adult or care-dependent person, criminal use of a communication facility, theft by unlawful taking, theft by deception, receiving stolen property and conspiracy charges.
Authorities said Zhou traveled from New York to Lehigh County with Jiwan Chen, 57, to collect gold from the victim.
Police were initially contacted June 30 about a possible fraud involving a resident of EverTrue Luther Crest Senior Living on Hausman Road.
Investigators said the woman had been contacted several weeks earlier by unknown individuals claiming to represent “American Bank.” The callers allegedly told her that her identity and Social Security number had been compromised and instructed her to transfer her assets into a newly acquired account.
The woman reportedly attempted several wire transfers, but her financial institution rejected most of them after determining that the new account was invalid.
Authorities said the scammers then instructed her to purchase gold bullion. Once the gold was purchased, she was allegedly told how to package it and where to meet couriers who were described as “officers.”
Investigators said the woman made four separate deliveries and surrendered approximately $550,000 in gold to various couriers. The overall scheme reportedly involved approximately $683,000 worth of gold.
Chen and Zhou are accused of traveling to the Allentown area to collect gold from the victim. Both men have now been charged in connection with the investigation.
The charges are accusations, and both defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
