A 19-year-old Brooklyn, N.Y. man is facing charges after targeting a Silver Spring woman in a gold bar scam, according to Montgomery County Police.
In early May, an unidentified individual contacted a woman and advised her to transfer her assets into gold bars “to prevent Russia from taking her money,” MCPD said in a Tuesday press release. The 82-year-old woman complied with the suspects’ demands and handed over several packages worth more than $900,000 in gold bars.
Zhenyong Weng was arrested in Silver Spring this week by 1st District officers, in collaboration with the Financial Crimes Section and the Violent Crimes Information Center, while attempting to collect a package valued at over $70,000 from the victim.
Weng is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, MCPD said.
19-year-old Zhenyong Weng, of Brooklyn has been arrested for allegedly targeting an 82-year-old Silver Spring woman through a government-imposter related gold bar scam.https://t.co/rRPlA855VA#MCPD #Arrest #MCPNews pic.twitter.com/MDbgQ6A9R7
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) July 16, 2024
Detectives believe there may be additional victims and remind the community that law enforcement will never attempt to contact individuals in this manner.
Police ask that anyone with information contact the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County at crimesolversmcmd.org or (866) 411-8477. All tips can be provided anonymously, and information that leads to an arrest may qualify for a reward of up to $10,000.
Photo: © misunseo – stock.adobe.com / MCPD Graphic