FRANKLIN COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — After conducting a sting operation Monday, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) arrested two men accused of being involved in a “large-scale financial scam.”
The FCSO said a Franklin County resident received a fraudulent message that appeared to be from an antivirus software company claiming she owed $410 for an unpaid bill. Once she clicked the link, she was contacted by an alleged scammer who gained remote access to her computer and transfered $41,000 instead of $410.
Additionally, the scammers allegedly told the woman they transferred $82,000 to her as a refund before pressuring her into withdrawing and delivering cash under the pretense of returning her money. The FCSO said the alleged scammers tried multiple times to arrange pickups for large sums of money and installed an app on the woman’s phone “to monitor her in real time.”
At about 5:30 p.m. Monday, investigators with the FCSO said they set up a sting operation outside the woman’s home. A vehicle arrived to collect cash from the woman, but deputies blocked the vehicle and arrested Zhen Jin Li and Jun Xiao — both from Atlanta.
Xiao was charged with felony conspiracy to commit property theft of property $50,000; felony attempted theft of property $50,000 and misdemeanor conspiracy to commit theft of services. As of publication, Jiao is in custody on a $150,000 bond.
As of publication, Jin Li is in custody on a $200,000 bond. He was charged with:
- felony unlawful possession of a weapon
- felony possession of a weapon in the commission of a felony
- felony conspiracy to commit theft of property $50,000
- felony attempted theft of property $50,000
- misdemeanor conspiracy to commit theft of services
Additionally, the FCSO seized $25,000 in cash—reportedly linked to previous scam operations—and a 9mm H&K VP9 handgun with two full magazines.
“This case highlights the sophistication of modern scams and the importance of vigilance when dealing with unexpected financial requests,” the FCSO said in a Facebook post. “We urge all residents to be cautious of online scams. NEVER allow remote access to your devices, and ALWAYS verify unexpected financial claims with your bank or law enforcement.”
Anyone who believes they or a loved one has been targeted by a similar scam has been urged to contact the FCSO or their area law enforcement agency.
