Wenhui Sun via Montgomery County Police
A California man pleaded guilty Friday in a gold bar scam that targeted a Leisure World resident.
Wenhui Sun, 34, pleaded guilty to charges of theft scheme over $100,000 and theft over $100,000, among other charges, according to the Montgomery County State’s Attorney’s Office (MCSAO).
According to MCSAO, the scam he took part in is believed to be part of an international organized crime ring. Other gold bar scams have been reported in the county and in the nation, and Sun’s case is the first conviction in the county.
Sun was arrested in the county in March. He faces up to 80 years in prison. A sentencing hearing is set for Dec. 9.
He was part of a scheme to swindle more than $1.1 million from the woman, according to MCSAO.
According to charging documents, on two separate occasions an elderly woman who lives at Leisure World wired a total of more than $789,000 to purchase gold bars, which scammers arranged to pick up in Silver Spring parking lots.
In a written statement, County State’s Attorney John McCarthy said, “We are pleased that the first gold bar scam case to enter the courts in Montgomery County has resulted in a conviction. As in this case, the scam often targets vulnerable victims who lose their life savings at a time when they are most dependent upon those funds to sustain themselves. We are grateful to the Montgomery County Police Fraud Division, in particular Detective Sean Petty for his tremendous work on this case. This is significant organized crime on an international level, and we will be seeking a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the impact on this victim.”
