With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
US Army reaches out to LA’s Chinese after scam
Listen
• 0:43
File photo: A military naturalization ceremony held at a U.S. Army base in South Korea, December 2008
(
U.S. Army Korea-IMCOM/Flickr (Creative Commons-licensed)
)
U.S. Army officials say they want to ensure that Chinese immigrants don't fall for the kind of scam that got its alleged leader arrested last week.
Prosecutors claim that a Chinese national posed as a military recruiter and duped fellow immigrants into thinking they'd joined a U.S. Army Special Forces unit. Yupeng Deng allegedly charged each recruit at least $400 plus annual renewal fees.
Deng reportedly promised about 100 men that membership in the armed forces would lead to legal American citizenship. Authorities arrested Deng last week; if a jury convicts him, he faces up to eight years in prison.
In South El Monte, U.S. Army officials held a news conference in English and Chinese. They let people know how they can sign up with real recruiters and steer clear of this type of deception.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist