Manatee Courier Scam Probe Finds 40-Plus FL Victims, Leads to Arrests

MANATEE COUNTY, FL — A Manatee County Sheriff's Office investigation into a courier scam targeting elderly residents has led to multiple arrests, a federal prison sentence and the identification of more than 40 victims across Florida, the agency said in a news release.

The investigation also disrupted an organized criminal operation and uncovered reported losses exceeding $3.5 million, the sheriff’s office said.

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Detectives began investigating last July, after an elderly Manatee County resident reported that a scammer posing as a representative of the Federal Trade Commission had targeted him.

The victim became suspicious when a woman arrived at his home to collect money and photographed the suspect and her vehicle.

MCSO Economic Crimes detectives used those images to identify Xin Liu, 40, who later admitted her involvement during an interview, the sheriff’s office said.

She was charged in Manatee County with scheme to defraud.

Liu, a Chinese national, has already been sentenced in federal court to 27 months in federal prison for her role in an elder fraud scheme that used telephone calls and electronic communications to deceive elderly victims into surrendering large sums of money.

During several days in July, she traveled throughout Florida collecting cash from victims and attempted to obtain more than $95,000 in fraud proceeds, according to the sheriff's office.

She was compensated with a portion of the stolen funds and was ordered to pay restitution.

Detectives later identified additional victims, including a 79-year-old Manatee County woman who had previously lost more than $200,000 in a cryptocurrency-related scam and was being targeted again.

While investigators were interviewing her, scammers contacted the woman and tried to arrange another $30,000 cash pickup.

Detectives then launched an undercover operation that resulted in the arrest of a second suspect, identified only as a 52-year-old Chinese national, the sheriff's office said.

As the case expanded, deputies arrested another suspect, identified only as a 56-year-old Chinese national, on charges including scheme to defraud and conspiracy to commit involving a senior victim, MCSO said.

During a search warrant at a residence connected to the investigation, detectives found thousands of suspected counterfeit items. Homeland Security Investigations responded and opened a separate federal investigation.

Sheriff Rick Wells praised the casework and cooperation among agencies that included the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the Office of Statewide Prosecution, and other law enforcement agencies across Florida.

“These criminals specifically targeted elderly victims and stole their life savings,” Wells said. “Thanks to the determination of our detectives and the cooperation of our law enforcement partners, we were able to stop additional victims from being defrauded, identify those responsible, and hold them accountable. The federal prison sentence already handed down in this case is a reminder that those who prey on our most vulnerable residents will face serious consequences.”

Several related state and federal cases remain pending, and the investigation remains active.

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