Man arrested in connection with fraud that cost 93-year-old Napa man $20,000, police say

Police have arrested a suspect who authorities believe was involved in a scam that cost a 93-year-old Napa man $20,000, officials said.

On Oct. 27, the victim told police he gave the money to the courier after a possible scam that began when he received an email about a purported PayPal transaction, This is stated in the report of the Napa police.

A Napa man called the number listed in the email, gave some personal information and was told he had been paid more than $30,000. The person on the other end of the line told the man to get the money in cash and put it in a box for the courier to pick up.

The man withdrew $20,000, put it in a box and gave it to a courier, later identified as 28-year-old Zhi Deng, who arrived at the man’s residence in Napa. He said he would deliver the rest to Dan by October 28th.

Napa police helped set up a pick-up time for Oct. 28, and a detective arrested Deng at about 11:50 a.m. According to police, he is suspected of obtaining money by false pretenses, elder abuse and grand larceny.

Investigators discovered that Deng was a courier from New York who was sent to California to collect money from elderly people who had been defrauded. According to the press release, he worked throughout the Bay Area and told authorities there were other couriers like him nearby.

Deng was booked into the Napa County Jail but was released on bond later on October 28.

Officials said investigators did not return $20,000 to the 93-year-old victim.

Staff writer Madison Smalstig can be reached at [email protected]. On X (Twitter) @madi.smals.