NEWARK — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) removed a fugitive citizen of China on Wednesday, August 16, 2017, who was wanted in China for the offenses of contractual fraud and defrauding the banks or other monetary institutions of loans.
Ziming Zhou, 47, entered the United States lawfully on May 6, 2014, in Los Angeles s a non-immigrant visitor for pleasure with authorization to remain in the country until Nov. 5, 2014. Zhou failed to depart within the allotted time frame. On Feb. 11, 2016, ERO Newark arrested Zhou at his place of residence.
According to Chinese authorities, Mr. Zhou owned a company named “Yingcheng Hongxiang Chemical Co. Ltd” in Yingchen City, Hubei Province, China. He was unable to repay previous loans and his company went bankrupt. From June 2013 to April 2014, he obtained loans and accepted proposals worth over 354 million CNY or nearly $53 million, by forging documents, fabricating false loan applications, and acquiring mortgages under false pretenses from financial institutions in Hubei Province, China. Subsequently, Mr. Zhou ordered his company officials to participate in the fraud scheme involving illegally discounted bank acceptance bills, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, acquisition of real estate, and paying huge usurious loan.
On Nov. 19, 2015, authorities with the Yingchen Public Security Bureau, Hubei Province in China issued an arrest warrant charging Zhou with defrauding the banks or other monetary institutions of loans.
“ERO Newark is committed to removing foreign fugitives from the United States who are being sought in their native countries for serious crimes,” said John Tsoukaris, Field Office Director for ERO Newark. “The return Mr. Zhou to face criminal charges in China is the result of ongoing cooperation between ICE and China. Foreign fugitives should be put on notice--they will find no refuge here.”
On Wednesday, ERO officers turned him over to Chinese authorities.
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