Scam Artist Sentenced After Targeting South Dakota Residents

A California man is facing a lengthy prison term, a hefty fine, and possibly worse for his role in an online scam that victimized a Sourh Dakota couple last year.

The Scam

It all began in late July when a couple in Lawrence County began receiving pop-up messages on their laptop computer from 'Microsoft Security.' They were asked to call a 'fraud investigator' at a bank and ordered to pay large amounts of money to cover so-called commissions of crimes that had been found on their accounts. The couple paid the money three different times.

The Arrest

The man behind the scam, Chao Zheng of Monterey, California, was arrested when he  personally tried to collect a fourth payment on August 23. The exact amount of money stolen has not yet been determined.

The Charges

In February, Zheng pled guilty to one felony count of Aiding and Abetting Grand Theft of more than $100,000 but less than $500,000 by Deception.

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The Sentence

This week in Lawrence County Circuit Court, Zheng was sentenced to eight years in prison and ordered to pay $325,000 in restitution. As a Chinese National, Zeng also faces the possibility of deportation.

READ MORE: First Measles Case Reported in South Dakota

Agencies Involved

The case was investigated by the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation and the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office and the Lawrence County State’s Attorney’s Office prosecuted the case.