A California man is behind bars in Whatcom County after investigators say he ran a sophisticated computer-based fraud scheme that stole more than one million dollars from Washington State residents, including at least one Whatcom County senior. Xiaobin Zhou, 56, was contacted by Whatcom County Sheriff's Office detectives on April 15, arrested, and booked into the Whatcom County Jail on charges including Theft in the First Degree, Theft in the First Degree from a Vulnerable Adult, and Criminal Conspiracy.
The case traces back to May 2025, when WCSO detectives and agents from the Department of Homeland Security launched a joint investigation into Zhou's activities. Investigators determined that Zhou was involved in ongoing fraud, theft, and trafficking of stolen property. Zhou was first arrested on May 15, 2025. As the investigation continued, detectives developed probable cause for additional charges related to the same pattern of conduct. By the time of his second arrest in April 2026, law enforcement had identified at least three Washington State victims with combined fraud losses exceeding one million dollars.
The scheme followed a pattern that investigators describe as a "tech support" or "computer takeover" fraud. Victims were directed to click a link, which allowed Zhou or his associates to gain access to the victim's computer. Once inside, the perpetrators provided instructions for the victims to withdraw cash, which was then picked up by a courier. Throughout the process, victims were explicitly told not to involve law enforcement or disclose the transactions to family members. The isolation and secrecy were deliberate features of the scheme, designed to prevent victims from seeking help before funds were gone.
The human toll is significant. One victim, an 86-year-old resident, lost nearly 800,000 dollars in the scheme. Law enforcement officials have noted that this type of fraud specifically preys on older adults, who may be more likely to trust unsolicited technical assistance and less familiar with remote-access software. The Whatcom County Sheriff's Office emphasized that this scheme is not isolated to Whatcom County and is prevalent across the country.
Nationally, tech support and computer takeover scams have become one of the fastest-growing categories of elder fraud. The FBI's Elder Fraud division reports that Americans over the age of 60 lose more than three billion dollars annually to fraud, with tech-enabled scams accounting for an increasing share of those losses. Victims often feel deep shame after the fact, which can delay reporting and allow perpetrators to continue operating.
WCSO detectives are aware of additional victims and believe the total scope of losses may extend beyond the three confirmed Washington State cases. The investigation is ongoing. Anyone who believes they may have been victimized in a similar scheme is asked to contact the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office. Even if you are uncertain whether what happened to you constitutes a crime, investigators encourage you to call and describe what occurred.
The Sheriff's Office is also reminding the public about basic digital safety habits that can prevent this type of victimization. Never click on unsolicited links that arrive via email, text message, or pop-up browser warnings. Legitimate companies including Microsoft, Apple, and antivirus software providers do not make unsolicited phone calls or send messages asking for remote computer access. If someone requests remote access to your computer, assume it is a scam and hang up or close the browser.
If a family member or neighbor has recently received calls about computer problems or has mentioned receiving instructions to withdraw cash, it is worth having a direct conversation. WCSO specifically asked family members and neighbors to check in with elderly residents in their lives, as social connection and open communication are among the most effective preventive measures against these scams.
Zhou remains in custody at the Whatcom County Jail. The case will proceed through the Whatcom County court system. The Sheriff's Office is continuing to work with federal partners at the Department of Homeland Security as the investigation develops additional leads regarding possible co-conspirators and additional victims.
