HUACHUN ZHENG, a Chinese citizen last residing in Queens, New York, was sentenced on Apr. 2 to 30 months in prison for his role in a scheme involving identity theft and the fraudulent purchase of luxury vehicles from dealerships. The sentencing was announced by David X. Sullivan, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.
Zheng’s case highlights ongoing concerns about identity theft and financial fraud affecting car dealerships and consumers. According to court documents and statements made in court, Zheng did not have legal status in the United States at the time of the offenses.
Authorities said Zheng and others used stolen personal and financial information as well as counterfeit identification cards belonging to multiple victims to apply for loans at a Greenwich car dealership. Using these fraudulent applications, they purchased or leased luxury vehicles which were then transported to New York with the intention of reselling them.
On September 27, 2022, Zheng used a stolen identity to secure $94,742.73 in financing for a 2019 Porsche Panamera from the Greenwich dealership. After discovery of the fraud scheme, the dealership repossessed this vehicle before it could be resold. Prosecutors said Zheng’s co-conspirators also obtained financing using similar methods to purchase additional vehicles from the same dealership.
The investigation found that Zheng was involved in other fraudulent activities using stolen identities. On September 10, 2022, he was arrested in Nassau County, New York while driving a Maserati bought under another victim’s name; he had been attempting to use fraudulent checks with others to buy jewelry at that time.
Zheng has been detained since his arrest on January 28, 2025. He pleaded guilty on January 6, 2026 to one count each of conspiracy to commit bank and wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Following completion of his prison sentence, he faces immigration proceedings.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation led this investigation with assistance from local police departments including those in Greenwich and New York City.
