Guilty of fraud: Maplewood man sold fictitious dream of Hmong homeland

A Maplewood man who promised Hmong elders a new homeland in Southeast Asia was found guilty Thursday of defrauding people out of nearly $2 million.

U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger announced the conviction of Seng Xiong, 49, after a nearly two week trial in federal court in St. Paul. The jury delivered the verdict in about two hours.

Xiong was found guilty of one count each of mail fraud and wire fraud.

Telling his victims he was working with the White House and the United Nations, Xiong reportedly directed elders across the country to deposit $3,000 to $5,000 into a bank account under his name.

Read more: http://www.twincities.com/2017/01/26/guilty-of-fraud-maplewood-man-sold-fictitious-dream-of-hmong-homeland/