Elusive Millionaire Stages Sham Police Raid in Multi-Million Dollar Scheme

A wealthy Chinese individual orchestrated an intricate fake police raid to extort $37 million from a business associate, revealing the extreme lengths some will go to secure financial dominance.

At a Glance

Four ex-law enforcement and military officers are accused of conducting a fake raid to extort $37 million.
The victim was coerced into signing settlement papers under threats of deportation.
The business involved is Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co. Ltd.
The defendants face up to 20 years in federal prison for each extortion-related count.
The FBI is investigating the case with other law enforcement agencies.

Elaborate Fake Raid Planned

The scheme took place in 2019 when a wealthy Chinese national hired four ex-law enforcement and military officers to stage a fake police raid on a California man’s home. The raid aimed to trick the victim into transferring $37 million and relinquishing rights to Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co. Ltd., a China-based rubber chemical manufacturer.

The victim and his family were confined to one room, their phones confiscated, and faced threats. These forceful actions led to the victim signing over his business rights under duress.

Orchestrators Behind Bars

Max Samuel Bennett Turbett, a U.K. citizen and former British military member, and his associates played crucial roles. Turbett organized and implemented the plan with assistance from fellow ex-officers.

After the raid, the incident was reported to the Irvine Police Department, leading to an investigation by the FBI, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and Irvine Police Department.

A few scuffles breaking out between pro Chinese government supporters and protesters ahead of Premier Li’s arrival at Parliament House. Police now separating the two sides. At least one man was taken away by police (apparently a Chinese government supporter) pic.twitter.com/SiiI9kluZ6

— Stephen Dziedzic (@stephendziedzic) June 16, 2024

Charges and Consequences

Those charged include Steven Arthur Lankford, Glen Louis Cozart, and Matthew Phillip Hart. Lankford used the National Crime Information Center database to gather the victim’s details. He drove an unmarked vehicle to the victim’s home during the raid.

”It is critical that we hold public officials, including law enforcement officers, to the same standards as the rest of us,” stated United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “It is unacceptable and a serious civil rights violation for a sworn police officer to take the law into his own hands and abuse the authority of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.”

Promised Rewards and Financial Transactions

By November 2019, the men were compensated for their involvement. Turbett’s company received nearly $420,000 from the Chinese national. The conspirator even thanked Turbett for a “very good job.”

”The defendants in this case allegedly believed they could carry out vigilante justice by using official police powers to enter the home of vulnerable victims and extorting them out of millions of dollars,” said Akil Davis, Assistant Director in Charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office. “The FBI will not tolerate civil rights violations by anyone who takes the law into their own hands for personal gain or otherwise.”

Legal Repercussions

The group faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit extortion and deprivation of rights. Facing up to 20 years in federal prison for each extortion charge and up to 10 years for each civil rights violation, their attempt at financial gain through intimidation failed.

Estrada said, “The goal was to get this person to sign a contract to give away his business rights. That’s what he ended up doing, but he did it by force, intimidation, and extortion.”

As this case unfolds, it underscores the vigilance required to protect civil liberties and expose corruption, no matter how cleverly disguised.