Web Desk
CUMBERLAND, Maine — A man from New York has been accused of scamming a Maine resident out of more than $100,000 through an elaborate online fraud scheme.
Police reported receiving a complaint on March 5 about a Cumberland resident who was tricked into converting over $100,000 of financial assets into gold bars.
These gold bars were then handed over to a courier.
Authorities said the scammer was still trying to obtain more assets from the victim. In response, detectives set up a sting operation.
On Monday, police arrested 44-year-old Zhangqi Xie from New York in Cumberland Foreside. He had reportedly traveled to Maine with the intention of further defrauding the resident.
Xie has been charged with theft by deception. He is currently held at the Cumberland County Jail with bail set at $500,000.
If found guilty, Xie could face up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $20,000.
