RICHMOND, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A 49-year-old man from New York has been sentenced to state prison for attempting to steal thousands of dollars from an elderly Richmond resident in what officials say was a bank impersonation scheme.

Wenhua Zhuo, of Flushing, N.Y., admitted in Cheshire County Superior Court to posing as a courier for a bank and deceiving the victim into handing over cash. Prosecutors said the scheme began in July 2024, when the man was tricked into believing his bank account had been compromised.

On July 15, 2024, Zhuo collected $20,900 from the victim’s home under the false pretense that it would keep the man’s funds safe. Investigators said Zhuo returned the next day, again attempting to retrieve another $20,000. The Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office arrested him during that second attempt.

Zhuo pleaded guilty to two felony charges: theft by deception and attempted theft by deception. A judge sentenced him to serve 1½ to 4 years in state prison on the attempted theft charge. On the theft charge, he received a 5- to 10-year sentence, which was suspended for 10 years after his release.

The court also ordered Zhuo to repay the $20,900 he stole, with $3,000 due immediately. Additional restrictions bar him from working with elderly or vulnerable adults or handling another person’s finances.

The investigation involved the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Cheshire County Sheriff’s Office.

Authorities continue to urge residents to be alert to scams targeting older adults. Anyone who suspects elder abuse or financial exploitation is encouraged to contact local police or the state’s Bureau of Adult and Aging Services at 1-800-949-0470.