A man accused of hiding behind his computer to operate a lucrative internet pop-up scam targeting elderly residents is now behind bars after a multi-state investigation led to his capture, the Martin County Sheriff’s Office announced Monday.
Weikai Zhang, 43, was apprehended in New York following extensive detective work by the Martin County Sheriff’s criminal investigations detectives in collaboration with the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force. Authorities allege Zhang is part of a larger national criminal organization that preys on seniors, using deceptive internet pop-ups to swindle them out of their life savings.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Zhang fled Florida for New York, hoping to evade capture after allegedly stealing more than $50,000 from a senior citizen in Martin County. Investigators believe that during his time operating in Florida, Zhang orchestrated thefts totaling approximately $613,000 from several victims, including the Palm City resident…