Jiandong Chen (“Little Tiger”) pleaded guilty for his role in a $27 million multinational fraud targeting about 2,000 seniors. Prosecutors said the scheme used technical support, bank and government impersonation, refund scams, and cryptocurrency laundering, with victims routed to India-based call centers.

A Chinese national, Jiandong Chen, also known as “Little Tiger,” pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in the Southern District of California for participation in a $27 million multinational fraud scheme targeting approximately 2,000 elderly victims. According to prosecutors, the conspiracy relied on social-engineering methods that included technical support scams, bank impersonation, government impersonation, and refund frauds. Victims were reportedly contacted through phone calls, emails, and pop-up messages designed to create urgency and credibility, then were directed into actions controlled by the fraud network. The case describes how communications and follow-up steps were used to move victims toward payment and data transfer, including cryptocurrency-related components. Prosecutors also alleged cryptocurrency laundering as part of how proceeds were processed and used to sustain the scheme. A key operational feature, prosecutors said, was routing victims to India-based call centers controlled by the conspirators, where scammers would continue the manipulation and collect the money. The plea comes as part of a broader enforcement effort against organized fraud operations exploiting seniors through impersonation and fraud-as-a-service tactics.