New York Pair Returned To Johnston County To Face Fraud Charges

SMITHFIELD, N.C. – Two New York residents have been extradited to Johnston County to face charges stemming from the alleged theft of a Smithfield woman’s identity and fraudulent use of her bank account.

Yang Li, 40, and Junya Zhao, 34, both of Flushing, New York, were returned to North Carolina to stand trial on multiple felony charges.

Authorities said the pair is also under investigation by multiple law enforcement agencies in connection with similar fraud and identity theft cases.

In the Johnston County case, Li and Zhao are accused of stealing the identity of a 48-year-old Smithfield woman and using her banking information to make unauthorized purchases at Target stores in Cary and Apex.

Investigators said an additional fraudulent transaction was attempted at a Home Depot store but was unsuccessful.

Li and Zhao are charged with identity theft, obtaining property by false pretenses and financial card fraud.

Zhao faces an additional charge of attempting to obtain a controlled substance by forgery or fraud.

The investigation was conducted by the Johnston County Sheriff’s Office.