A 24-year-old Brooklyn man pleaded guilty Monday to trying to scam an older Bethesda, Maryland, couple out of their gold bars.
According to the Maryland State’s Attorney’s Office, Yongxian Huang picked up a box from the Montgomery County couple that had around $400 of replica gold bars inside back in November 2024.
Huang allegedly thought they were authentic and worth somewhere north of $84,000.
The couple contacted Montgomery County police, wise to the idea they were being scammed.
Afterward, detectives coordinated a hand-off with Huang, giving him fake gold bars.
Huang drove to Brooklyn, where he was busted.
He was indicted for:
- Conspiracy to commit theft over $25,000 to under $100,000
- Attempted theft over $25,000 to under $100,000
- Theft over $100
Huang faces more than 10 years in prison. His sentencing hearing is slated for July 11.
