Franklin County, TN – On February 24, 2025, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) successfully apprehended two suspects involved in a large-scale financial scam that targeted a local resident. The swift action by investigators prevented a significant monetary loss and led to the seizure of cash and a firearm.
How the Scam Unfolded
The scam began when the victim received a fraudulent message claiming to be from Norton Antivirus, demanding an unpaid bill of $410.00. After clicking a malicious link, scammers gained remote access to her computer, manipulated her banking information, and falsely claimed she had accidentally transferred $41,000.00 instead of $410.00.
The criminals then insisted they had mistakenly sent an $82,000.00 refund and pressured the victim into withdrawing large sums of cash to return the funds. Over several days, the suspects made multiple attempts to collect the money and even installed tracking software on the victim’s phone to monitor her in real time.
Fortunately, the victim’s daughter recognized the scam and alerted FCSO investigators, who quickly formulated a plan to capture the perpetrators.
Sting Operation Leads to Arrests
At approximately 5:30 PM on February 24, FCSO set up a sting operation at the victim’s home. When a vehicle arrived to collect the cash, deputies swiftly blocked the vehicle and took two suspects into custody.
Arrested Individuals & Charges
The following individuals from Atlanta, GAÂ were arrested:
Zhen Jin Li – Bond: $200,000.00
Unlawful Possession of a Weapon (Felony)
Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property $50,000.00 (Felony)
Possession of a Weapon in the Commission of a Felony (Felony)
Attempted Theft of Property $50,000.00 (Felony)
Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Services (Misdemeanor)
Jun Xiao – Bond: $150,000.00
Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Property $50,000.00 (Felony)
Attempted Theft of Property $50,000.00 (Felony)
Conspiracy to Commit Theft of Services (Misdemeanor)
Both suspects remain in custody and are scheduled to appear in court on April 28, 2025, at 8:00 PM.
Seized Evidence
$25,000 in cash (linked to previous scams)
H&K VP9 9mm handgun with two full magazines
Warning to Residents
This case underscores the sophistication of modern financial scams. The FCSO urges residents to stay vigilant and follow these safety precautions:✔ NEVER allow remote access to your devices.✔ ALWAYS verify unexpected financial claims with your bank or law enforcement.✔ REPORT suspicious activity immediately.
If you or someone you know has been targeted by a similar scam, contact FCSO or your local law enforcement agency immediately.
For updates, visit the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office website or follow official social media pages.