Accused of scamming a Midland couple, a California woman pleaded not guilty Friday after being bound over to circuit court and seeing her bond revoked.
Yahui Zhu, 44, of West Covina, California, allegedly defrauded a Midland couple out of more than $100,000, according to Michigan State Police. Zhu is charged with theft by false pretenses between $20,000 and $50,000 and receiving and concealing stolen property. She pleaded to the charges during her circuit court arraignment.
Zhu appeared before Midland County District Court Judge Michael Carpenter, who bound her over to circuit court. He then presided over the circuit court arraignment and cancelled Zhu’s $500,000 bond.
No hearing has yet been set for Zhu.
MSP Lt. Ashley Miller said Zhu reportedly ran a scam that defrauded an 84-year-old man and a 74-year-old woman out of the money. She said troopers discovered fraud as they were investigating fraudulent gift cards, cryptocurrency and other suspicious activities.
Miller said that troopers intercepted Zhu, a suspected courier, and prevented an in-person cash exchange. Zhu was arrested Feb. 3 during the encounter.
The lieutenant said the scammers had escalated to meeting the victims at their residence.
Miller said investigators are seeing an increasing number of scams of this nature throughout the state.
The lieutenant said the Federal Trade Commission will never threaten you, tell you to transfer money to protect it, or instruct you to withdraw cash or buy gold and give it to someone. These are scams, and they should be reported to https://reportfraud.ftc.gov/