A Chicago man has been sentenced to prison for his role in a sophisticated fraud scheme that stole more than $135,000 from an elderly Marathon County, Wisconsin, woman, wiping out her savings and checking accounts.
On July 20, Marathon County Circuit Judge Mike Moran sentenced 37-year-old Tao Wu to 7½ years for conspiracy to commit theft of movable property exceeding $100,000. Under Wisconsin’s sentencing laws, the sentence includes 2½ years in prison followed by five years of extended supervision.
Wu also received 609 days of credit for time already served in custody, and the court determined that he is eligible to participate in prison programming during his incarceration.
Sentence Includes Prison and Extended Supervision
Wisconsin follows a bifurcated sentencing system, which requires prison sentences to be divided into two parts: a period of confinement that must be served in full without parole, followed by extended supervision in the community.
If a person violates the conditions of that supervision, a judge can order them back to prison.
Judge Moran imposed numerous conditions on Wu’s supervision, including:
- Providing a DNA sample and paying the required surcharge.
- Paying court costs.
- Maintaining full-time employment during his supervision period.
- Completing any treatment or rehabilitation programs required by his supervising agent.
- Avoiding possession or use of controlled substances unless prescribed by a physician.
- Refraining from accessing or using financial accounts belonging to other people.
- Having no contact with the victim, her family members, or her residence.
- Complying with all applicable immigration requirements.
Nearly Three-Hour Sentencing Hearing
The sentencing hearing lasted nearly three hours.
Assistant District Attorney Lacey Coonen represented the prosecution, while attorney Vanessa Avila represented Wu, who appeared from the Marathon County Jail.
Because Wu required language assistance, interpreters Mingshu Zhang and Liping Zhao were sworn in and provided interpretation through video during the hearing.
Before sentencing arguments began, Avila requested corrections to Wu’s presentence investigation report. A presentence investigation (PSI) is prepared by the Department of Corrections and provides the court with information about a defendant’s personal background, criminal history, the impact of the crime, and sentencing recommendations. Judge Moran ordered the report sealed.
During the hearing, probation agent Katie Brasure testified under oath, and a victim-witness specialist read a statement on behalf of the elderly victim.
The victim later addressed the court personally, describing the impact the scam had on her life. Wu also spoke during the hearing and addressed the victim directly.
Restitution Hearing Still Pending
Although sentencing has been completed, the amount Wu must repay has not yet been determined.
Defense attorney Vanessa Avila requested that the restitution portion of the case be postponed. Prosecutors agreed, provided the victim testified during the sentencing hearing.
Judge Moran accepted her testimony and scheduled a separate restitution hearing to determine the financial repayment owed to the victim.
Elaborate Scam Targeted Elderly Woman
According to court records, the fraud scheme began in October 2024 when the elderly Marathon County woman received a pop-up warning on her computer claiming the device had been compromised.
Believing the message was legitimate, she called the phone number displayed on the screen. Investigators said she was connected with scammers posing as technical support representatives.
The callers falsely claimed that criminals had used her personal information to make fraudulent purchases and convinced her that her money was in immediate danger.
The scammers persuaded the woman to allow them remote access to her computer, enabling them to manipulate her banking information and monitor her financial accounts.
They then instructed her to move her money into what they described as “safe” accounts, falsely claiming the transfers would protect her finances while authorities investigated.
Victim Was Directed to Buy Bitcoin and Gift Cards
Over multiple conversations, the scammers convinced the woman to:
- Withdraw large amounts of cash from her bank.
- Purchase gift cards.
- Buy approximately $56,000 worth of Bitcoin.
- Believe she was assisting law enforcement in catching criminals.
Investigators also said the scammers provided the woman with a special code phrase and repeatedly assured her she was participating in a confidential investigation.
In two separate incidents, men arrived at the victim’s home to collect cash directly.
By the end of the scheme, authorities said the woman had lost $135,200, exhausting both her savings and checking accounts.
Investigation Led Authorities to Tao Wu
The fraud came to light after a financial institution noticed suspicious transactions and alerted the victim’s son.
Law enforcement launched an investigation that traced financial transactions and communications connected to the scheme.
According to prosecutors, investigators eventually linked the operation to Wu, alleging he worked with others to carry out the elaborate fraud targeting the elderly victim.
Following the sentencing, Judge Moran ordered Wu to be transferred to the Wisconsin prison system to begin serving the remainder of his sentence.
Authorities Warn Public About Common Scam Tactics
Officials say the case highlights several warning signs commonly used in financial scams targeting older adults.
Common red flags include:
- Computer pop-up messages urging people to immediately call a support number.
- Claims that money must be moved to a “safe” account to prevent theft.
- Requests for remote access to a computer.
- High-pressure tactics encouraging secrecy or immediate action.
- Demands for payment through Bitcoin, gift cards, wire transfers, or cash pickups.
Authorities advise anyone receiving these types of requests to stop communication immediately, avoid sending money or allowing remote computer access, independently contact their financial institution using verified phone numbers, speak with a trusted family member, and report suspected fraud to local law enforcement, their bank, and the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center as quickly as possible.
