By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County reported on Thursday, August 24, Wei Song, 59, of Egg Harbor Township, pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree money laundering and one count of second-degree identity theft.
Officials said her plea calls for a sentence of 15 years in New Jersey State Prison, with seven and a half years of parole ineligibility, and a five-year sentence to run concurrently.
According to officials, this case involved a multi-year social engineering scheme that resulted in financial losses of over $600,000 from one victim and over $75,000 in identity theft damages.
The defendant preyed upon the victim, convincing her to invest her life savings in what was purported to be a business investment, which in reality never existed.
At the same time, officials say, Song pretended to be the victim and used her identity for financial gains.
Sentencing is scheduled for October 19, 2023, in front of the Honorable Dorothy Garrabrant, J.S.C., officials said.
The case against Wei Song’s codefendant, Botao Liu, is still pending court.