Chinese National Sentenced for Identity Theft & Vehicle Theft Scheme

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A Chinese national living illegally in the U.S. has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for a scheme involving identity theft and the purchase of luxury vehicles from a dealership in Greenwich, Connecticut. Huachun Zheng, also known as 'Ri Yuan', used stolen personal and financial information to obtain financing and purchase a 2019 Porsche Panamera and other vehicles, which were then transported to New York to be resold.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of identity theft and vehicle theft, particularly targeting high-end dealerships. It also raises concerns about the ability of individuals without legal status in the U.S. to perpetrate such crimes and the need for stronger security measures to protect consumers and businesses.

The details

According to court documents, Zheng and his co-conspirators used stolen identities to apply for loans and purchase vehicles from the Greenwich dealership. In one instance, Zheng obtained $94,742.73 in financing to purchase a 2019 Porsche Panamera. The dealership was able to repossess the vehicle before it could be resold. Zheng's co-conspirators also fraudulently obtained financing and purchased other vehicles from the dealership.

• On September 27, 2022, Zheng used a stolen identity to purchase the Porsche Panamera.
• On September 10, 2022, Zheng was arrested in Nassau County, New York, in connection with a scheme involving fraudulent checks and the purchase of jewelry.
• Zheng has been detained since his arrest on January 28, 2025.
• On January 6, 2026, Zheng pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and one count of aggravated identity theft.

What’s next

Zheng will face immigration proceedings when he completes his prison term.