After several months of investigation, the Michigan State Police (MSP) has arrested a subject who scammed an Escanaba resident out of over a half million dollars.
In July 2026, the MSP Gladstone Post opened an investigation into a reported scam. An Escanaba man had reportedly been in conversation with the suspect who posed as a crypto currency investor. The man had thought he was investing in Bitcoin.
On one occasion he met with the suspect and gave the suspect over $500,000 in U.S. currency. After that, an additional $165,000 in cash was mailed via FedEx to addresses out of state. In total, approximately $665,000 in U.S. currency had been given or sent by the victim. The suspect was not a legitimate investor or broker but rather was alleged to be a scammer.
The investigation identified the suspect as 34-year-old Zhong Jiang who had resided in Orland Hills, Illinois. The suspect was alleged to have committed similar crimes out of state and had suspected connections to organized crime. The case was sent to the Delta County Prosecutor for review who issued a felony arrest warrant.
MSP extradited Jiang from Waukesha, Wisconsin where Jiang was being held in jail on similar charges for alleged crimes committed in Wisconsin. Jiang was lodged in the Delta County Jail. On October 19, 2026, Jiang was arraigned in the 94th District Court on one count of Larceny by Conversion $100,000 or More. Bond was set at $400,000 cash/surety and the case is due in court again on October 29, 2026. The defendant is considered innocent unless proven guilty.
MSP was assisted by the Delta County Prosecutor’s Office, Escanaba Public Safety, Homeland Security Investigations, Delafield (WI) Police Department, Waukesha County (WI) Sheriff’s Office, and the Internal Revenue Service.
“This was great work by the detectives and troopers, along with everyone who assisted on this case,” said Lt. Ben Eckola, MSP Eighth District Public Information Officer. “Unfortunately, scams like this can happen anywhere and anyone can be targeted. If you’re unsure if something is legitimate, contact your local law enforcement before sending money. We’re happy to talk with you, answer your questions, and try to help prevent something like this from happening to you.”
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