Suspect Held Without Bond in Gold Bar Scam

For Immediate Release: Tuesday, July 16, 2024

Gaithersburg, MD  – 19-year-old Zhenyong Weng, of Brooklyn, NY has been arrested for allegedly targeting an 82-year-old Silver Spring woman through a government-imposter related gold bar scam.

In early May of 2024, the victim was contacted by an unknown individual who directed her to transfer her assets into gold bars, to prevent Russia from taking her money.

The 82-year-old victim complied with the suspect’s demands and handed the suspects several packages worth over $900,000 in gold bars.

On Monday, July 15, 2024, at approximately 5:22 p.m., Weng was arrested in Silver Spring while he attempted to collect a package from the victim, valued at over $70,000. The arrest was an operation conducted by Montgomery County Police 1st District officers working in conjunction with the Financial Crimes Section.

Detectives believe there may be additional victims and want to remind the community that law enforcement will never attempt to contact you in this manner.

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Weng is being held without bond at the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

Anyone with information regarding this crime is asked to visit the Crime Solvers of Montgomery County, MD website at www.crimesolversmcmd.org  ( http://www.crimesolversmcmd.org/ ) and click on the “ www.p3tips.com  ( http://www.p3tips.com/)”  link at the top of the page or call 1-866-411-8477. A reward of up to $10,000 is offered for information leading to the suspect’s arrest. Tips may remain anonymous.

For additional information regarding frauds and scams or to learn how to report a situation, please visit https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov/pol/fraud/financial-crimes-section.html .

For updates and link to press release, see here: http://www2.montgomerycountymd.gov/mcgportalapps/Press_Detail_Pol.aspx?Item_ID=45555