Zhenyong Weng / Photo courtesy MCSAO
A 19-year-old from New York was sentenced to prison Thursday for a gold bar scam targeting an 82-year-old.
Zhenyong Weng was sentenced to serve 18 months, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office (MCSAO).
According to court documents, the scam resulted in the theft of more than $900,000 and an attempt to steal another $2,500,000.
Weng pleaded guilty Tuesday to attempted theft and conspiracy to commit theft, according to MCSAO.
He was arrested last July as he tried to pick up $75,000 in gold from the victim.
In a written statement, County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said the case is “an example of how woefully inadequate the Maryland State Sentencing Guidelines are in regard to the Gold Bar Scam.”
“In this case the guidelines were probation to six months jail time. The State asked for the maximum penalty, which would have been twenty years in prison. This international organized criminal activity is targeting seniors who have a very slim chance of ever recovering their money. We are seeing victims lose their life savings,” County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said.
MCSAO urges the community to be vigilant about these scams. Residents are reminded that no law enforcement agent will ever contact them to tell them to convert their assets for safekeeping.
