Chinese National Shenghan Jin Sentenced to 27 Months as Gold-Courier in $2.5 Million Investment Scam
BENTON, Ill. — The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Illinois announced in early October that Shenghan Jin, 27, a Chinese national, has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for acting as a courier who collected gold bars in an investment scam. Jin had pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and one count of wire fraud. Court documents say that beginning in May 2024, uncharged co-conspirators befriended a Belleville man online, pitched fake investments, and instructed him to wire money and buy gold bars; Jin was arrested in July 2025 when he arrived at the victim's home to pick up gold.
The victim lost about $2.5 million through cryptocurrency, wire transfers and physical gold. U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft said Jin's student visa expired in 2022 and that he will be deported immediately after serving his sentence. The case was investigated by IRS Criminal Investigation and the U.S. Secret Service.
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
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