A meticulously orchestrated investigation in Nassau County has led to the arrest of seven individuals implicated in a staggering $20 million money laundering scheme. This intricate operation, as detailed by Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly at a recent press conference, targeted over 1,800 victims across 45 states, stretching from Long Island to the distant reaches of Alaska.

The modus operandi of the alleged scam involved the use of sophisticated methods such as spyware pop-up messages and deceptive phone text messages. These tactics were employed to instill fear and manipulate individuals, particularly those residing in Nassau County, into believing their personal and financial information had been compromised. In a particularly egregious manipulation, many victims, a significant number of whom were elderly, were falsely informed that child pornography had been discovered on their home computers. They were then coerced into purchasing gift cards from major retailers like Lowe’s and Home Depot, purportedly to aid law enforcement in a fabricated investigation.

According to Nassau County prosecutors, the arrested individuals, hailing from Queens and Staten Island, exploited these gift cards to acquire valuable construction materials, including copper piping, insulated wiring, and hot water heaters. These items were then allegedly resold to plumbing and construction businesses located in the outer boroughs of New York City.

The scope of the operation became further evident during a raid on a storage facility in Queens. Inside, investigators uncovered a massive cache of home improvement materials filling twelve box trucks, alongside a substantial sum of $650,000 in cash, as reported by District Attorney Donnelly. Further investigations by the Nassau County police and the district attorney’s office revealed additional merchandise in the defendants’ vehicles, along with expensive jewelry and handbags, suggesting a lavish lifestyle funded by the illicit gains.

District Attorney Donnelly identified Sky Lin, 36, of Flushing, as a key figure in the operation, charging him with money laundering and conspiracy. She highlighted an instance on April 2, 2024, when Lin and two co-defendants allegedly redeemed over 50 gift cards to purchase more than $50,000 worth of copper pipes and other materials in a single day.

The investigation, spanning 15 months, was initiated after a Home Depot investigator noticed a suspicious pattern of high-volume gift card purchases and immediate usage. The prosecutor noted that between January 3, 2023, and March 4, 2024, the group had spent $20 million in Lowe’s and Home Depot gift cards, a figure expected to rise as the investigation progresses. The group executed more than 6,000 purchases over 400 days at 80 locations throughout New York state.

The district attorney’s office is currently seeking to charge five additional suspects in connection with the scheme. The arrested individuals—Lifa Wang, 49, Yu Lin, 35, Jie Lin, 32, Lixi Wang and Jia Bin Chen, 39, all of Queens, and Hai Tao Liu of Staten Island—face charges of money laundering and conspiracy. At the time of reporting, attorneys for the men had not responded to requests for comment.

District Attorney Donnelly emphasized the importance of public awareness, stating, "I just want to take this opportunity to again remind our residents, no government or law enforcement official will ever ask you to buy a gift card to pay a debt or fix your computer or assist in an investigation.” She urged residents to be vigilant, advising them to hang up on unsolicited callers claiming to be government employees, bank representatives, or representatives of internet or software companies requesting money. She concluded by encouraging anyone who believes they are being targeted by a scam to contact the police immediately.