Chinese national arrested for theft by deception
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Weigang Liang
By Christa Jennings
Senior Staff Writer
A Chinese national residing in California was arrested in Coosa County last Saturday on a theft-related charge following a reported scam.
On November 4, the Sheriff’s Office took a report for identity theft and a scam where credit cards had been issued and funds transferred from an account, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
A week later, following the identity theft and scam, an individual attempted to obtain funds and jewelry from the complainant, which is when the complainant notified the Sheriff’s Office and filed a report.
The suspect later attempted to meet the individual in person. The Coosa County Sheriff’s Office conducted an operation, and a Chinese national was ultimately taken into custody.
Chinese nationality law details conditions by which an individual holds nationality of the People’s Republic of China. Per the Nationality Law of the People’s Republic of China, which went into effect in September 1980, a Chinese national is any person born in China whose “parents are both Chinese nationals and one of whose parents is a Chinese national” and “any person born abroad whose parents are both Chinese nationals and one of whose parents is a Chinese national,” with individuals in both categories having Chinese nationality according to articles 4 and 5 of the Nationality Law.
The Chinese national taken into custody by the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office was identified as 23-year-old Weigang Liang of Monterey Park, California.
Liang was charged with first-degree theft by deception. His bond was set at $125,000, and as of press time he remained in custody at the Coosa County Jail awaiting trial.
The federal authorities were also notified and are working with the Sheriff’s Office on this case.
Anyone who suspects or observes illegal activity is encouraged to report it to the Coosa County Sheriff’s Office at 256-377-4922 or online at www.coosacountyso.org. Anonymous tips are also welcome.