Detective wore wig and posed as victim to catch US scammer who stole gold bars

A man allegedly told his victim that her identity had been stolen and he could protect her assets – but only if she converted them to gold bars and turned them over. Photograph: Luke Sharrett/Bloomberg via Getty Images

A California scam artist who stole nearly $800,000 in gold bars from a victim was recently captured by police, including a detective who posed as the victim as part of an elaborate, undercover sting operation.

Wenhui Sun, 34, was arrested in Leisure World, Maryland, a senior living community. Officers with the Montgomery county police department’s financial crimes unit orchestrated Sun’s arrest.