SAIPAN — A Saipan woman who befriended elderly women and defrauded them of nearly $770,000 through a scheme involving false claims of wealth, Bitcoin investments and forged court documents was sentenced to 71 months in federal prison last week, United States Attorney Shawn N. Anderson announced.
Sze Man Yu Inos, known as Yuki, 30, was sentenced April 23 by Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona in the United States District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands. She was convicted of wire fraud in violation of federal law. In addition to the prison term, the court imposed three years of supervised release, 100 hours of community service, restitution of $769,355.67 and a mandatory $200 special assessment fee. The court also entered a criminal forfeiture judgment of $684,848.34.
Prosecutors said Yuki carried out the scheme from November 2020 through January 2022, targeting older women in Saipan and Guam by posing as the daughter of a wealthy Chinese family with multiple businesses and successful Bitcoin investments. She treated victims to expensive meals and gifts, confided in them about invented personal problems and cultivated emotional relationships, often telling them, “You are like my mom.” After gaining their trust she solicited money and Bitcoin investments under false pretenses.
After leaving the Marianas, Yuki continued the scheme and defrauded additional victims in Washington and California, including continuing to engage in fraud after federal charges were filed. The FBI said she forged a federal judge’s signature in furtherance of her schemes.
“Criminals engaged in affinity fraud prey on our willingness to trust others,” Anderson said. “This defendant chose to target older women across multiple jurisdictions, resulting in substantial financial losses. She continued her scams while this case was pending.”
FBI Honolulu Special Agent in Charge David Porter said Yuki acted with contempt for both her victims and the rule of law. “The defendant built a career out of deception, leaving a trail of financial ruin stretching across several states and impacting dozens of innocent victims,” Porter said.
The case was investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Garth R. Backe.