CHINESE CITIZAN CHARGED IN ALLEGED GOLD BULLION FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING SCHEME TARGETING WESTERN NEW YORK VICTIM

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A Chinese citizen has been arrested and charged in federal court for his alleged role in a sophisticated fraud scheme that prosecutors say convinced a Western New York resident to convert substantial financial assets into gold bullion before transferring the valuables to individuals posing as government representatives.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of New York, Didi Zou, 39, a citizen of China, has been charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. Each offense carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison if convicted.

According to the criminal complaint, the investigation began after a Tonawanda, New York, resident became the target of an alleged tech support scam on May 15, 2026. Prosecutors state the victim’s computer displayed what appeared to be a Microsoft security alert instructing them to call a telephone number for assistance.

After calling the number, the victim allegedly spoke with an individual identifying himself as “Logan,” who claimed to be a Microsoft security representative. Prosecutors allege the caller falsely warned that unauthorized individuals were attempting to access the victim’s financial accounts and had attempted to process an approximately $22,000 transaction.

To enhance the appearance of legitimacy, the victim was allegedly provided with a case number before being transferred to another individual identifying himself as “Christopher Martin,” who claimed to work in a cyber fraud division associated with the victim’s bank. According to prosecutors, Martin also falsely represented himself as a liaison between the Internal Revenue Service and the bank.

Federal investigators allege the victim was instructed to create what was falsely described as an “IRS Bank” account through the victim’s existing online banking portal and transfer assets there to protect them from hackers. Prosecutors state no such IRS banking program exists.

According to court documents, Martin instructed the victim to download remote-access software that allowed an outside user to control the victim’s computer. Investigators believe the software enabled the alleged scammers to obtain access to the victim’s online banking credentials and other sensitive financial information.

Federal prosecutors stated the victim complied with the instructions out of fear that hackers would steal savings accumulated from multiple sources, including proceeds from the sale of the victim’s parents’ home, inherited funds, personal savings, and certificates of deposit.

According to the complaint, the victim was then instructed to withdraw funds and purchase gold coins and bullion, which the scammers falsely claimed would protect the victim’s assets while they were being transferred into the fictitious IRS account.

Prosecutors allege the victim completed five separate purchases of gold coins and bullion. After each purchase, an individual posing as an IRS agent allegedly traveled from Flushing, New York, to retrieve the gold package from the victim.

Federal investigators state the fifth exchange occurred on June 18, 2026 after the victim began cooperating with law enforcement. During that controlled operation, investigators allege Didi Zou arrived to retrieve the gold bullion and was taken into custody.

Authorities say the investigation highlights the increasing sophistication of financial fraud schemes in which criminals impersonate trusted organizations, technology companies, financial institutions, or government agencies to convince victims to voluntarily transfer money or valuable assets. Federal investigators have repeatedly warned that legitimate government agencies, including the Internal Revenue Service, do not instruct individuals to protect their finances by purchasing gold or other precious metals for delivery to government representatives.

Zou made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and remains in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Bonanno and Colleen M. McCarthy.

The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II, the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation Division under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., and the New York State Police under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto.

The charges contained in the criminal complaint are allegations. Didi Zou is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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