Two men from out-of-state have been arrested on charges of cryptocurrency fraud after an investigation by local authorities and federal agencies. Xingxuan Li, 22, and Xiaohui Lu, 30, were taken into custody in New Hartford, New York, on June 4 and 5, respectively. According to investigators, the two men allegedly operated as couriers for an organized crime enterprise that targeted a local resident with a fraudulent investment scheme.
The investigation revealed that Li arrived in New Hartford from Chicago on June 4 and attempted to collect over $50,000 from the victim. Lu was arrested later that day after attempting to collect money from the same individual. Both men are currently under pending asylum status in the United States.
Law enforcement agencies involved in the investigation include the New Hartford Police Department, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Utica and New York Mills Police Departments, and the Oneida County District Attorney's Office.