CryptoBriefing and crypto.news disagree on whether Zheng Zhao was arraigned on Oct. 23 or is merely scheduled for arraignment on Nov. 30.
What all sources agree on
- Zheng Zhao, a 44-year-old Chinese national, was extradited from the Netherlands to Los Angeles.
- He faces a money laundering conspiracy charge carrying a maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted.
- Prosecutors allege more than $36.9 million was taken from at least 174 identified American victims.
- Funds allegedly moved through US shell companies into an account at Deltec Bank in the Bahamas before conversion into USDT and distribution to scam-center operators in Cambodia.
- Zhao was first charged in August 2025.
- Eight co-conspirators have pleaded guilty, including Jingliang Su, sentenced to 46 months, and Shengsheng He (ShengSheng He), sentenced to 51 months.
Where the reports disagree
1Whether Zhao's arraignment already occurred or is still scheduled
He was arraigned the same day… Zhao's next hearing is scheduled for November 30, 2026.
The Los Angeles U.S. Attorney’s Office said he was ordered detained and scheduled for arraignment on Nov. 30.
What would settle it: The federal court docket for Zheng Zhao's case in the Central District of California
What to make of it
Treat the identity, charges, alleged loss amount, victim count, and laundering route as established; the two accounts cannot both be correct on whether Zhao has already been arraigned, so hold off on that detail until the court docket is checked.
Treat the identity, charges, alleged loss amount, victim count, and laundering route as established; the two accounts cannot both be correct on whether Zhao has already been arraigned, so hold off on that detail until the court docket is checked.