© 2026 SDPB
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

California man indicted for internet scam of Lawrence County couple

Pixabay.com

A California man is indicted in connection to an internet scam in South Dakota.

Chao Zheng pleaded not guilty to scamming a couple out of at least $325,000. The total dollar amount is still being investigated.

The crimes happened earlier this summer. The attorney general’s office said a couple from Lawrence County received pop-up messages on their computer from “Microsoft Security.” They were then asked to call a fraud investigator at a bank to pay money to cover so-called commissions of crimes linked to their account.

The couple paid these commissions three separate times. Zheng was arrested after trying to personally collect a fourth payment. He now faces up to 15 years in prison.

Jackson Dircks is a Freeburg, Illinois, native. He received a degree from Augustana University in English and Journalism. He started at SDPB as an intern before transitioning to a politics, business and everything in-between reporter based in Sioux Falls.

Can't find what you're looking for?


We're here to help.



If you are are having trouble locating or accessing SDPB content and services for any reason, including a need for accommodations such as alternate formats for accessibility purposes, we will do our best to provide the assistance you need.



Visit our Contact Page to explore our support options, or call us at (605) 677-5861 and we will help you find where you need to be.