The Spanish Fort Police Department arrested a Chinese national in connection with a scam operation targeting the elderly.
Xiahezhati Xiaokelaiti, 23, is charged with aggravated theft by deception.
Investigators stated that an elderly victim received a text message on May 19 from someone posing as a U.S. Marshal. The text message informed the victim that she had been identified as part of an international wire fraud scheme and provided instructions on how to repay the money to avoid arrest.
The victim followed instructions, meeting with a suspect posing as a U.S. Marshal in person on several occasions to deliver gold bars and currency totaling over $400,000.
The victim became suspicious and contacted police to report the encounter on June 9.
The Spanish Fort Police Department and the FBI investigated.
Officials confirmed Xiaokelaiti was in the country illegally. He was placed in the Baldwin County Jail.
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