PARKESBURG, PA — A 28-year-old man faces felony theft charges after Parkesburg police allegedly intercepted a scheme targeting a resident’s retirement savings, following an earlier $30,000 cash payment to someone impersonating a federal Treasury agent.
The Parkesburg Borough Police Department identified the defendant as Qialin Zheng, 28, who was taken into custody during an undercover operation involving a second requested payment of $28,000.
According to investigators, the victim initially received a telephone call from someone claiming to represent the U.S. Treasury Department. The caller allegedly warned that the victim’s pension account had been compromised and instructed the resident to surrender assets to the federal government for safekeeping.
Police said the victim received fraudulent documentation supporting the claims and subsequently handed $30,000 in cash to an unidentified man.
The investigation began Oct. 10 after the victim reported the alleged fraud and received another request for $28,000.
Parkesburg police intervened and arranged an undercover operation to intercept the second transaction.
On Oct. 14, investigators established a meeting in the 100 block of West First Avenue, where the victim was expected to exchange $28,000 with someone posing as a Treasury agent.
Surveillance officers observed Zheng arrive and approach the victim, according to police. Investigators said the exchange was completed before officers immediately took Zheng into custody without incident.
Police secured additional evidence, including Zheng’s vehicle, for further examination.
Zheng was charged with felony theft by deception and related offenses. Police did not specify the additional charges.
Following his arrest, Zheng was transported to Chester County Prison and arraigned. Bail was set at $350,000 cash, subject to a Nebbia hearing requiring documentation that any funds used to post bail were obtained legally.
Zheng remained in Chester County Prison pending a preliminary hearing in District Court 15-3-07, according to police.
Investigators said they are coordinating with law enforcement agencies in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Connecticut conducting similar investigations involving Zheng.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has also lodged an immigration detainer for Zheng, police reported.
The Parkesburg Borough Police Department urged residents to be cautious of unsolicited calls involving financial accounts, particularly demands to withdraw cash or transfer assets for purported government safekeeping.
Residents are advised not to disclose banking information over the telephone or comply with instructions to withdraw money for an exchange. Anyone receiving such a request should contact local police.
All suspects, arrestees, and defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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