How a Richmond scam exposed new dangers for older Americans
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Scams against older adults are becoming more common—and more personal.
In July 2024, a 49-year-old man from New York, Wenhua Zhuo, was sentenced for a brazen scheme that targeted an elderly resident of Richmond, New Hampshire.
The scam started with a phone call and ended with thousands of dollars in losses before law enforcement stepped in.
Sadly, cases like this are no longer rare.
For families and communities across the country, the lesson is clear: protecting yourself from scams requires awareness, caution, and the confidence to say no.
The anatomy of the scam
It began with a phone call claiming the victim’s bank account had been compromised.
The caller, pretending to be a bank employee, warned that the victim’s money was at risk and needed to be “secured.”
A courier—Zhuo—then arrived at the victim’s home and collected $20,900 in cash.
The next day, he returned, aiming to take another $20,000. Fortunately, local law enforcement was waiting and arrested him before more damage could be done.
Zhuo later pleaded guilty to felony charges of theft by deception and attempted theft by deception.
His sentence included up to 10 years in prison (mostly suspended), repayment of the stolen money, and a lifetime ban from handling the finances of vulnerable adults.
Also read: Wisconsin Rapids scam costs resident $600,000: What seniors should know
Why scammers target older adults
Older Americans are often singled out because many have savings, own property, or may be less familiar with evolving scam tactics.
Scammers also exploit traits like trust, politeness, and a willingness to follow authority.
But being victimized doesn’t mean someone is careless—it means they were targeted by criminals who rely on fear, urgency, and pressure to get results.
Also read: 1.8 billion iPhone users warned of fast-growing bank account scam
Scams to watch for today
Bank impersonation scams like this are just one example.
Others include:
Also read: How one scam drained a senior’s savings—and what you can do to stay safe
Warning signs to remember
Also read: She lost $57,000 in one day: How a phone scam targeted a woman in Oregon
How to protect yourself
Also read: Falling for the “transfer it to protect it” scam? FTC warns this scheme is targeting older Americans
Why this case matters
Thanks to the quick work of law enforcement and the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit, Zhuo’s scheme was stopped.
But for every case like this that ends in an arrest, many scammers remain free.
Staying alert, sharing stories, and looking out for one another is one of the best defenses against these crimes.
Read next:
Have you or a loved one ever been targeted by a scam? How do you keep yourself and your family safe from fraud? Share your experience in the comments—your advice may help protect someone else.
In July 2024, a 49-year-old man from New York, Wenhua Zhuo, was sentenced for a brazen scheme that targeted an elderly resident of Richmond, New Hampshire.
The scam started with a phone call and ended with thousands of dollars in losses before law enforcement stepped in.
Sadly, cases like this are no longer rare.
For families and communities across the country, the lesson is clear: protecting yourself from scams requires awareness, caution, and the confidence to say no.
A Richmond case highlights how quickly fraud can escalate—and why it’s important to verify before you act. Image Source: YouTube / WMUR-TV.
The anatomy of the scam
It began with a phone call claiming the victim’s bank account had been compromised.
The caller, pretending to be a bank employee, warned that the victim’s money was at risk and needed to be “secured.”
A courier—Zhuo—then arrived at the victim’s home and collected $20,900 in cash.
The next day, he returned, aiming to take another $20,000. Fortunately, local law enforcement was waiting and arrested him before more damage could be done.
Zhuo later pleaded guilty to felony charges of theft by deception and attempted theft by deception.
His sentence included up to 10 years in prison (mostly suspended), repayment of the stolen money, and a lifetime ban from handling the finances of vulnerable adults.
Also read: Wisconsin Rapids scam costs resident $600,000: What seniors should know
Why scammers target older adults
Older Americans are often singled out because many have savings, own property, or may be less familiar with evolving scam tactics.
Scammers also exploit traits like trust, politeness, and a willingness to follow authority.
But being victimized doesn’t mean someone is careless—it means they were targeted by criminals who rely on fear, urgency, and pressure to get results.
Also read: 1.8 billion iPhone users warned of fast-growing bank account scam
Scams to watch for today
Bank impersonation scams like this are just one example.
Others include:
- Impersonation calls: Fake calls from banks, Social Security, the IRS, or a “grandchild in trouble.”
- Courier scams: Someone shows up to collect “safekeeping” cash or valuables.
- Tech support scams: Calls or pop-ups warning your computer is infected and demanding payment.
- Prize or lottery scams: Messages claiming you’ve won, but require upfront “fees” or “taxes.”
Also read: How one scam drained a senior’s savings—and what you can do to stay safe
Warning signs to remember
- Urgent demands to act immediately.
- Instructions to keep the conversation secret.
- Requests for unusual payment methods like gift cards, wire transfers, or cash.
- Calls, texts, or visits you didn’t initiate.
Also read: She lost $57,000 in one day: How a phone scam targeted a woman in Oregon
How to protect yourself
- Pause and verify: Hang up and call the official number on your card or bank statement.
- Never hand over cash: Legitimate agencies will not send someone to your home.
- Talk it over: Share concerns with a trusted friend, family member, or neighbor.
- Report scams: Call your local police or the Bureau of Adult and Aging Services at 1-800-949-0470.
- Stay informed: Sign up for scam alerts from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or your state’s consumer protection office.
Also read: Falling for the “transfer it to protect it” scam? FTC warns this scheme is targeting older Americans
Why this case matters
Thanks to the quick work of law enforcement and the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit, Zhuo’s scheme was stopped.
But for every case like this that ends in an arrest, many scammers remain free.
Staying alert, sharing stories, and looking out for one another is one of the best defenses against these crimes.
Read next:
- Got a text about an Amazon refund? Don’t click—it’s a scam
- Watch out for this "how are you" message—It could be a scam in disguise
- A warning text led to this costly mistake—how one couple lost over $80K in a shocking scam
Have you or a loved one ever been targeted by a scam? How do you keep yourself and your family safe from fraud? Share your experience in the comments—your advice may help protect someone else.
