Chinese citizen arrested, charged with money laundering and wire fraud conspiracy involving gold coins/bullion

BUFFALO, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney Michael DiGiacomo announced today that Didi Zou, 39, a citizen of China, was arrested and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to commit wire fraud, which carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.

According to the criminal complaint, on May 15, 2026, the Victim, a resident of Tonawanda, NY, received a Microsoft alert on their computer screen stating, "Microsoft Security" and to call (650) 479-XXXX. The Victim called and spoke to a purported "Microsoft security representative" named "Logan," who informed them that someone was attempting to access the Victim's account and attempting an approximate $22,000.00 transaction, which never went through. Logan provided Victim 1 with a "case number" and then transferred them to "Chirstopher Martin" from the "Cyber Fraud Division" of their bank. The Victim spoke with "Martin," who stated he was also the liaison between the Internal Revenue Service and the bank. Martin advised the Victim to set up a bank account with the IRS on their personal banking website and move their funds to the IRS Bank because of the "hackers" in their computer.

At Martin's instruction, the Victim downloaded a software that enables remote access to a computer for an external user via a user-provided password, which allowed Martin to essentially take over the Victim's keyboard. Martin guided the Victim through an online banking process, likely gaining access to the Victim's banking details and passwords. The Victim obeyed all instructions, fearing hackers would obtain their assets, which included profits from the sale of their parents' house, inherited savings, and multiple CDs. The Victim subsequently, again at Martin's instruction, gave $20,000 to an IRS "Agent" at a coffee shop near their residence and obtained gold coins/bullion to protect their funds in the "IRS Banking" account. The Victim made five purchases of gold coins/bullion and each time an "IRS agent" would travel from Flushing, NY to pick up the gold package. The fifth purchase occurred on June 18, 2026. After the Victim, working with investigators, gave the gold coins/bullion to the "IRS Agent," defendant Zou was taken into custody.

Zou made an initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge H. Kenneth Schroeder, Jr. and is being held pending a detention hearing.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Paul E. Bonanno and Colleen M. McCarthy. The complaint is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Allen D. Davis II, the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge Harry T. Chavis, Jr., and the New York State Police, under the direction of Major Amie Feroleto.

The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.

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