An Apopka woman will spend the next 27 months in federal prison for her role as a money collector in a phone and text-based scam that targeted elderly Florida residents. Xin Liu, 40, a Chinese national living in the U.S. on an H-1B visa, was sentenced in Gainesville after participating in the elder fraud scheme.
According to court records, the operation relied on telephone calls and electronic messages to trick senior citizens. Over a tight eight-day window between July 22 and July 30, 2025, Liu drove to at least six different locations across the state to pick up cash directly from the victims. One of those pickups occurred at a senior assisted living community in Gainesville.
In total, investigators found that Liu attempted to collect more than $95,000 from the targets. She was compensated using a cut of the stolen money. Federal officials noted that Liu’s actions caused severe financial distress for at least one of the elderly victims involved.
The sentencing was announced by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Heekin noted that these types of scams are becoming increasingly common.
“We are unfortunately seeing a rise in the prevalence of elder fraud schemes orchestrated and executed by foreign nationals who target and financially exploit our senior citizens, depleting their life savings and leaving the victims destitute,” Heekin said. “Raising awareness of these threats is vitally important to preventing more seniors from falling prey to these fraudsters and their schemes. Our state and federal law enforcement partners are working hard to identify and dismantle those fraud schemes, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these fraudsters to the fullest extent of the law.”
The case required a coordinated effort between local and federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gainesville Police Department.
FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley emphasized the emotional and financial toll of these crimes. “Stealing from seniors is not just a financial crime, it’s a betrayal of trust,” Carley said. “Older Americans should never have to fear being targeted by criminals looking to drain their life savings. This sentence reflects the FBI’s commitment to protecting older Americans and holding those accountable who target them.”
Law enforcement officials noted that the scammers frequently used intimidation tactics, including pretending to be government officials.
“These criminals preyed on our most vulnerable residents with sophisticated scams, impersonating federal agents to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars,” Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells stated. “Thanks to the swift work of our detectives and federal partners, we’ve stopped this operation and prevented further victims. We urge everyone to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately.”
Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker of the IRS Criminal Investigation Florida Field Office called the exploitation of the elderly “shameful and one of the most disturbing crimes affecting our nation.” Loecker added that IRS-CI remains dedicated to working with partner agencies to devote resources toward dismantling operations that target vulnerable citizens.
Local officials also noted that the impact of these scams extends beyond the immediate loss of cash.
“Those who prey on our senior citizens for financial gain should know there is no safe haven in Gainesville,” said Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya. “These crimes do more than steal money—they exploit trust, create fear, and can cause significant financial hardship for people who are often living on fixed incomes.”
The case was investigated by multiple departments and was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
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