St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith Announces Investigation that Yields Warrants and Seizure

Sheriff Blaise Smith announces that an investigation into a situation at a local business in Bayou Vista results in the seizure of gift card blanks and other paraphernalia used in Scams.

On February 19, 2020, contact was made with two male subjects at a local business. The subjects were discovered to be participating in a scam involving gift cards. During the investigation, 1,600 gift card blanks and other paraphernalia used in scamming were seized.

As the investigation progressed, the Louisiana State Police and the United States Secret Service were involved in providing assistance in networking and disseminating information to other law enforcement agencies.

St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office Detective Eddie Gay, working with Walmart Corporate Asset Protection, identified the scam and warrants were obtained for the two subjects involved. 

Jian Ruan is wanted for possession of fraudulent documents, money laundering, and obstruction of justice. Zuxiang Ling is wanted for money laundering and obstruction of justice. Both Ruan and Ling are Chinese nationals.

Detective Eddie Gay advises the public that this investigation highlights the result of gift card scamming.

"Please be protective of your finances and be cautious of scams. If anyone ever asks for payment by a gift card, it is most likely a scam."

 

Public Information Officer

St. Mary Parish Sheriff's Office

985-384-1622

pio@stmaryso.com

http://www.stmaryso.com/