MANATEE COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Authorities have cracked down on an elaborate scam targeting elderly individuals, resulting in several arrests, a sentence to federal prison, and the confiscation of numerous counterfeit items.
Detectives in Manatee County revealed that the case unearthed a significant criminal network with operations spanning across Florida.
The investigation was set into motion in July 2025, prompted by a report from an elderly local who had been approached by an impersonator claiming to be associated with the Federal Trade Commission.
His suspicion was piqued, prompting him to withhold his money from the impostor.
“The individual became wary, recorded the interaction, and subsequently alerted us,” explained Detective Gary Cummings of the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.
That photo helped detectives identify their first suspect, 40-year-old Xin Liu, who was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s office says it’s all for her role in an elder fraud scheme.
Liu participated in a fraud operation that used electronic communications to deceive elderly victims into giving up large sums of money.
“She was using an alias pretending to be a federal investigator with the FBI,” Det. Cummings said.
However, detectives soon learned the scheme was much bigger.
A 79-year-old Manatee County woman previously lost more than $200,000 in a cryptocurrency scheme. The sheriff’s office said that while investigators were interviewing her, the thieves tried to arrange another cash pickup.
That’s when Manatee County detectives launched an operation, saying they uncovered evidence that connected multiple suspects to a larger fraud ring.
Detectives found thousands of suspected counterfeit items, prompting Homeland Security to open a separate federal investigation.
“These are large networks of people that are contacting victims all day long,” Det. Cummings added. “It’s probably large groups of call centers that are organized, and they’re just going down the list of all the data that they’ve purchased or stolen.”
Investigators linked the crime ring to more than 40 victims across Florida, who together lost more than $3.5 million.
Several related state and federal cases remain pending, and the investigation remains active.
Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells praised the work of investigators and partner agencies involved in the case.
“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.”
Detective Cummings says these schemes, unfortunately, often rely on urgency and fear.
“People get wrapped up in that cycle of fear where they think that if they don’t do it right now, something bad is going to happen to them or their future,” Det. Cummings said.
Officials said that government agencies will never send someone to your door to collect cash. If you get that type of call, they say don’t pay, report it.