2024-11-21 DOJ SDNY pdf 64,090 chars

United States v. HENRY YAU, Southern District of New York (Nov. 21, 2024)

raw: U.s. V. Yau Complaint

U.s. V. Yau Complaint (S.D.N.Y. Nov. 21, 2024)

Caption: United States v. Henry Yau

Exhibit of ICE Supervisory Deportation Officer Arrested For Identity Theft And Disseminating Confidential Government Records

Source PDF JSON

summary

paragraph

Henry Yau, a former Supervisory Deportation Officer with ICE, is charged with embezzling and disclosing confidential government information from law enforcement databases to friends and acquaintances for personal gain. The charges include unauthorized access to and disclosure of records containing individually identifiable information, as well as conspiracy to commit bank fraud and aggravated identity theft. Yau is alleged to have participated in a scheme to disseminate confidential government information to aid in a bank fraud conspiracy, and faces charges related to the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. The investigation also uncovered that Yau provided sensitive law enforcement information to the conspirators, including an ICE Field Operations Worksheet containing personal identifying information about Victim-1, who was subsequently arrested and deported by ICE agents.

narrative

Enriched metadata

Scheme: public-corruption (100%)
Court: Southern District of New York

Classified public-corruption(confidence 100%). No EDGAR filing fingerprint (criminal/DOJ-side scheme). detection rule →

Extracted insights

Dollar amounts 6

$50K $50,000 $10K–$100K
$20K $20,000 $10K–$100K
$20K $20,000 $10K–$100K
$10K $10,000 $10K–$100K
$10K $10,000 $10K–$100K
$1K $1,000 <$10K

Entities 7

person Henry Yau ×2
person Robiel Ande ×2
person Andrew K. Chan
organization Federal Bureau of Investigation
agency he is a special agent with the fbi
person James Ligtenberg
person Ni Qian

Triples 4

Robiel Ande deposes he is a Special Agent with the FBI
Henry Yau conspired to commit identity theft
Henry Yau transferred means of identification of another person
Henry Yau embezzled record and thing of value of the United States

PDF

U.s. V. Yau Complaint · Source

Text layers

Extracted body text (64,090c)

AUSAs: Andrew K. Chan, James Ligtenberg, and Ni Qian

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

HENRY YAU,

Defendant.

SEALED COMPLAINT

Violations of 18 U.S.C. §§ 1028(f), 371,
641, 2; 5 U.S.C. § 552a(i)(1)

COUNTY OF OFFENSE:
NEW YORK

SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK, ss.:

ROBIEL ANDE, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he is a Special Agent with the
Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and charges as follows:

COUNT ONE
(Identity Theft Conspiracy)

1. From at least in or about 2019 through at least in or about 2020, in the Southern
District of New York and elsewhere, HENRY YAU, the defendant, and others known and
unknown, willfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and
with each other to commit identity theft, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section
1028(a)(7).

2. It was a part and object of the conspiracy that HENRY YAU, the defendant, and
others known and unknown, would and did knowingly transfer, possess, and use, in and affecting
interstate and foreign commerce, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another
person, to wit, names, social security numbers, dates of birth, and drivers’ license numbers, with
the intent to commit, and to aid or abet, and in connection with, an unlawful activity that constitutes
a violation of Federal law, to wit, conversion of records and property of the United States, in
violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, and disclosure of agency records containing
individually identifiable information, in violation of Title 5, United States Code, Section
552a(i)(1), and conspiracy to commit the same, and the offense involved the transfer of an
identification document, authentication feature, and false identification document that is and
appears to be an identification document and authentication feature issued by and under the
authority of the United States, and a birth certificate, and a driver’s license and personal
identification card, and as a result of the offense involving the transfer, possession, and use of one
and more means of identification, an individual committing the offense, obtained a thing of value
aggregating $1,000 and more during a one-year period, in violation of Title 18, United States Code,
Sections 1028(a)(7), (b)(1)(A), and (b)(1)(D).

(Title 18, United States Code, Section 1028(f).)

24 MAG 4055

COUNT TWO
(Conspiracy to Convert Records and Property of the United States and

Disclose Agency Records Containing Individually Identifiable Information)

3. From at least in or about 2019 through at least in or about 2020, in the Southern
District of New York and elsewhere, HENRY YAU, the defendant, and others known and
unknown, willfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and
with each other to commit offenses against the United States, to wit, conversion of records and
property of the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, and
disclosure of agency records containing individually identifiable information, in violation of Title
5, United States Code, Section 552a(i)(1).

4. It was a part and object of the conspiracy that HENRY YAU, the defendant, and

others known and unknown, would and did embezzle, steal, purloin, and knowingly convert to
their use and the use of another, and without authority, sell, convey, and dispose of, a record and
thing of value of the United States and a department and agency thereof, in violation of Title 18,
United States Code, Section 641.

5. It was further a part and object of the conspiracy that HENRY YAU, the defendant,
and others known and unknown, being an officer and employee of an agency, who by virtue of
such employment and official position, had possession of, and access to, agency records which
contained individually identifiable information the disclosure of which was prohibited by Title 5,
United States Code, Section 552a, and by rules and regulations established thereunder, and who
knowing that disclosure of the specific material was so prohibited, would and did willfully disclose
the material in a manner to a person and agency not entitled to receive it, in violation of Title 5,
United States Code, Section 552a(i)(1).

Overt Acts

6. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the illegal objects thereof, the
following overt acts, among others, were committed in the Southern District of New York and
elsewhere:

a. On or about August 27, 2019, a co-conspirator named Tommy Lin

transmitted a photocopy of the Delaware driver’s license for a particular individual to HENRY
YAU, the defendant, for the purpose of inquiring whether YAU could arrest that particular
individual for immigration violations.

b. On or about June 1, 2020, Lin received a photograph of an Illinois driver’s

license for a particular individual (“Victim-1”), which Lin later transmitted to YAU for the purpose
of inquiring whether YAU could arrest Victim-1 for immigration violations.

c. On or about September 8, 2020, YAU disclosed to Lin a copy of a United
States Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”), Immigration and Customs Enforcement

(“ICE”), Enforcement and Removal Operations Field Operations Worksheet containing Victim-
1’s name, driver’s license photograph, criminal history, and home address.

d. On or about October 28, 2020, YAU arrested Victim-1 and transmitted
copies of post-arrest photographs of Victim-1 to Lin.

(Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.)

COUNT THREE
(Conspiracy to Convert Records and Property of the United States and

Disclose Agency Records Containing Individually Identifiable Information)

7. From at least in or about 2018 through at least in or about 2021, in the Southern
District of New York and elsewhere, HENRY YAU, the defendant, and others known and
unknown, willfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and
with each other to commit offenses against the United States, to wit, conversion of records and
property of the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, and
disclosure of agency records containing individually identifiable information, in violation of Title
5, United States Code, Section 552a(i)(1).

8. It was a part and object of the conspiracy that HENRY YAU, the defendant, and

9. It was further a part and object of the conspiracy that HENRY YAU, the defendant,
and others known and unknown, being an officer and employee of an agency, who by virtue of
such employment and official position, had possession of, and access to, agency records which
contained individually identifiable information the disclosure of which was prohibited by Title 5,
United States Code, Section 552a, and by rules and regulations established thereunder, and who
knowing that disclosure of the specific material was so prohibited, would and did willfully disclose
the material in a manner to a person and agency not entitled to receive it, in violation of Title 5,
United States Code, Section 552a(i)(1).

Overt Acts

10. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the illegal objects thereof, the
following overt acts, among others, were committed in the Southern District of New York and
elsewhere:

a. On or about February 23, 2019, a co-conspirator not named herein (“CC-

1”) transmitted to HENRY YAU, the defendant, a photograph of a New York State driver’s license
in the name of an individual (“Victim-2”), and asked YAU to check on the status of a permanent

residence application filed by Victim-2 with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(“USCIS”).

b. On or about March 20, 2019, YAU disclosed to CC-1 non-public

information regarding USCIS’s investigation of Victim-2’s permanent residence application.

c. On or about June 20, 2019, CC-1 transmitted to YAU a photograph of a

driver’s license in the name of an individual (“Victim-3”) and asked YAU to check on the
immigration status of Victim-3 in DHS databases. Later that day, YAU transmitted to CC-1 non-
public information about Victim-3’s immigration status.

d. On or about October 12, 2021, CC-1 requested that YAU conduct a check
in DHS databases for the travel history for a particular individual, and YAU offered to ask other
individuals for assistance with conducting the database checks.

(Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.)

COUNT FOUR
(Conspiracy to Convert Records and Property of the United States and

Disclose Agency Records Containing Individually Identifiable Information)

11. From at least in or about 2019 through at least in or about 2020, in the Southern
District of New York and elsewhere, HENRY YAU, the defendant, and others known and
unknown, willfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and
with each other to commit offenses against the United States, to wit, conversion of records and
property of the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, and
disclosure of agency records containing individually identifiable information, in violation of Title
5, United States Code, Section 552a(i)(1).

12. It was a part and object of the conspiracy that HENRY YAU, the defendant, and

13. It was further a part and object of the conspiracy that HENRY YAU, the defendant,
and others known and unknown, being an officer and employee of an agency, who by virtue of
such employment and official position, had possession of, and access to, agency records which
contained individually identifiable information the disclosure of which was prohibited by Title 5,
United States Code, Section 552a, and by rules and regulations established thereunder, and who
knowing that disclosure of the specific material was so prohibited, would and did willfully disclose
the material in a manner to a person and agency not entitled to receive it, in violation of Title 5,
United States Code, Section 552a(i)(1).

Overt Acts

14. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the illegal objects thereof, the
following overt acts, among others, were committed in the Southern District of New York and
elsewhere:

a. On or about December 26, 2018, YAU conducted a check in law

enforcement databases at the request of a co-conspirator not named herein (“CC-2”) to see whether
CC-2 would be arrested by law enforcement at the border when traveling out of the United States.

b. On or about February 22, 2019, YAU conducted a check in law enforcement

databases at CC-2’s request to see whether CC-2’s cousin would be arrested by law enforcement
at the border when traveling into the United States.

c. On or about January 13, 2020, YAU conducted a check in law enforcement
databases at CC-2’s request to see whether CC-2 would be arrested by law enforcement at the
border when traveling into the United States. YAU informed CC-2 that CC-2 was flagged as being
investigated by law enforcement agents in California.

(Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.)

COUNT FIVE
(Conspiracy to Convert Records and Property of the United States and

Disclose Agency Records Containing Individually Identifiable Information)

15. From at least in or about 2019 through at least in or about 2020, in the Southern
District of New York and elsewhere, HENRY YAU, the defendant, and others known and
unknown, willfully and knowingly combined, conspired, confederated, and agreed together and
with each other to commit offenses against the United States, to wit, conversion of records and
property of the United States, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 641, and
disclosure of agency records containing individually identifiable information, in violation of Title
5, United States Code, Section 552a(i)(1).

16. It was a part and object of the conspiracy that HENRY YAU, the defendant, and

17. It was further a part and object of the conspiracy that HENRY YAU, the defendant,
and others known and unknown, being an officer and employee of an agency, who by virtue of
such employment and official position, had possession of, and access to, agency records which
contained individually identifiable information the disclosure of which was prohibited by Title 5,
United States Code, Section 552a, and by rules and regulations established thereunder, and who
knowing that disclosure of the specific material was so prohibited, would and did willfully disclose
the material in a manner to a person and agency not entitled to receive it, in violation of Title 5,
United States Code, Section 552a(i)(1).

Overt Acts

18. In furtherance of the conspiracy and to effect the illegal objects thereof, the

following overt acts, among others, were committed in the Southern District of New York and
elsewhere:

a. Between on or about June 18, 2019 and on or about June 19, 2019, HENRY

YAU, the defendant, disclosed to a co-conspirator not named herein (“CC-3”) non-public
information from DHS databases regarding the immigration status of an individual (“Victim-4”)
and offered to arrest Victim-4 and Victim-4’s spouse.

b. On or about June 19, 2019, YAU checked DHS databases at CC-3’s request

and provided non-public information from DHS databases regarding the immigration status of an
individual (“Victim-5”).

c. Between on or about July 25, 2019 and on or about July 26, 2019, YAU
checked law enforcement databases at CC-3’s request to obtain subscriber information for a
particular phone number.

d. On or about July 28, 2019, CC-3 transmitted a photograph of a Hong Kong
Permanent Identity Card of a particular individual (“Victim-6”) and asked YAU to provide recent
border crossings into and out of the United States for Victim-6.

e. On or about July 30, 2019, YAU disclosed to CC-3 non-public information

from law enforcement databases about Victim-6’s border crossings into and out of the United
States.

f. On or about July 23, 2021, YAU disclosed to CC-3 non-public information

from a DHS database about the investigation of CC-3’s application for the DHS Global Entry
Program.

(Title 18, United States Code, Section 371.)

COUNT SIX
(Conversion of Records and Property of the United States)

19. From at least in or about November 2019 through at least in or about 2023, in the

Southern District of New York and elsewhere, HENRY YAU, the defendant, embezzled, stole,
purloined, and knowingly converted to his use and the use of another, and without authority sold,
conveyed, and disposed of, a record and thing of value of the United States and a department and
agency thereof, to wit, YAU disclosed to friends and acquaintances records from various law
enforcement databases and immigration databases maintained by, among other departments and
agencies, DHS, ICE, the Department of Justice, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
(“USCIS”), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

(Title 18, United States Code, Sections 641 and 2.)

COUNT SEVEN
(Disclosure of Agency Records Containing Individually Identifiable Information)

20. From at least in or about November 2019 through at least in or about 2023, in the

Southern District of New York and elsewhere, HENRY YAU, the defendant, being an officer and
employee of an agency, who by virtue of such employment and official position, had possession
of, and access to, agency records which contained individually identifiable information the
disclosure of which was prohibited by Title 5, United States Code, Section 552a and by rules and
regulations established thereunder, and who knowing that disclosure of the specific material was
so prohibited, would and did willfully disclose the material in a manner to a person and agency
not entitled to receive it, in violation of Title 5, United States Code, Section 552a(i)(1), to wit,
YAU disclosed to friends and acquaintances records containing individually identifiable
information from various law enforcement databases and immigration databases maintained by,
among other departments and agencies, DHS, ICE, the Department of Justice, U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

(Title 5, United States Code, Section 552a(i)(1); and Title 18, United States Code, Section 2.)

The bases for my knowledge and for the foregoing charges are, in part, as follows:

21. I am a Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), assigned to

the Asian and African Organized Crime Squad. I have received training about, and participated in
investigations of, financial crimes, conversion of government records, and unlawful dissemination
of confidential government information. I am familiar with the facts and circumstances set forth
below from my personal participation in the investigation, including my examination of reports
and records, interviews I have conducted, and conversations with other law enforcement officers
and other individuals. Because this affidavit is being submitted for the limited purpose of
establishing probable cause, it does not include all the facts that I have learned during the course
of my investigation. Where the contents of documents and the actions, statements and
conversations of others are reported herein, they are reported in substance and in part, unless noted
otherwise.

OVERVIEW

22. Based on my review of law enforcement records, I know that HENRY YAU, the
defendant, was employed until in or about November 2024 as a Supervisory Deportation Officer
with ICE, which is a law enforcement agency within DHS. ICE’s stated mission includes
protecting the United States through criminal investigations and enforcing immigration laws to
preserve national security and public safety. YAU was hired as an ICE Deportation Officer in or
around 2015. In or around September 2021, YAU was promoted to Supervisory Deportation
Officer. YAU resigned from ICE in or about November 2024. At all relevant times, YAU was
assigned to the ICE New York Field Office, which is located in Manhattan. As an ICE Deportation
Officer, YAU was given access to several password-protected law enforcement databases operated
by DHS and other law enforcement agencies, including USCIS databases containing the status of
immigration-related applications filed by aliens, CBP databases containing information about
border crossings, criminal history databases, and ICE databases containing records relating to
arrests and removals of aliens from the United States.

23. As further discussed below, this investigation has revealed that, from at least in or

about 2017 through at least in or about 2023, HENRY YAU, the defendant, participated in a
scheme to disseminate confidential government information from law enforcement databases,
including multiple databases maintained by ICE, CBP, and USCIS. YAU disseminated this
confidential government information to friends and acquaintances for his own personal and
financial gain. For example, between in or about 2019 and in or about 2020, YAU agreed to and
did disclose confidential information from law enforcement databases about an individual
(“Victim-1”) that a co-conspirator named Tommy Lin was seeking to have arrested and deported
from the United States on behalf of members of a bank fraud conspiracy charged in the Southern
District of New York in the case United States v. Tommy Lin et al., S7 23 Cr. 572 (CM).1 YAU
shared with Lin a copy of a Field Operations Worksheet containing personal identifying
information about Victim-1 prior to arresting Victim-1, and YAU also sent Lin photographs of
Victim-1 following the arrest. In total, YAU has improperly disseminated confidential
government information relating to approximately 28 individuals, at least. This information came
from DHS databases, and YAU disclosed it without any apparent law enforcement purpose to at
least approximately 12 non-law enforcement personnel, including, among others: (1) Lin—a
former Director of Constituent Services within the New York City Mayor’s Office, (2) a former
candidate for New York City Council and New York State Assembly (“CC-1”); (3) a former target
of a fraud investigation being conducted by the FBI in California (“CC-2”); and (4) a former
business partner (“CC-3”).

HENRY YAU’s Dissemination of Confidential Government Information to Tommy Lin

24. Based on my personal participation in this investigation, I know that Tommy Lin
previously served as a Director of Constituent Services in the New York City Mayor’s Office
between in or around 2014 and in or around 2019, and later became Queens Community
Coordinator for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection between in or
around January 2019 and 2024.

25. On or about June 6, 2024, a grand jury in the Southern District of New York

returned an Indictment, S7 23 Cr. 572 (CM), charging Lin with participating in a bank fraud
conspiracy, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18
U.S.C. § 1028A, relating to Lin’s participation in a scheme to steal money from banks by using
Chinese nationals to open bank accounts at various banks that were then used to file false reports
of fraudulent transactions, which resulted in credits being transferred to the accounts. The S7 23
Cr. 572 (CM) Indictment alleges that Lin participated in the bank fraud conspiracy by, among
other things, accepting $20,000 in cash in exchange for arranging for an ICE Deportation Officer
to arrest a disgruntled accountholder who had previously participated in the scheme.

1 As of the date of this Complaint, Lin is charged with participating in a bank fraud conspiracy,
in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1349, and aggravated identity theft, in violation of 18 U.S.C. §§
1028A and 2.

26. As further described below, HENRY YAU, the defendant, was the ICE
Deportation Officer who assisted Lin in arresting and deporting Victim-1 on behalf of two
members of the bank fraud conspiracy (“CC-4” and CC-5”). In doing so, YAU disclosed
sensitive law enforcement information to Lin, including an ICE Field Operations Worksheet
containing personal identifying information about Victim-1.

27. Based on my review of text messages exchanged between members of the bank
fraud conspiracy, I know that CC-4 and CC-5 exchanged text messages with each other
regarding assistance that Tommy Lin was providing to the bank fraud scheme, including Lin’s
offers to refer individuals that could participate in the scheme by opening bank accounts, check
law enforcement databases for CC-4 and CC-5, and arrange for the arrest of other individuals at
the request of CC-4 and CC-5. In exchange for this assistance, CC-4 and CC-5 described
providing cash payments to Lin, including paying Lin to arrange for the arrest and deportation of
Victim-1, who was a disgruntled member of the bank fraud scheme.

28. Based on my personal participation in this investigation, I know that law

enforcement officers executed a search warrant for an Apple iCloud account used by CC-4,
which contained messages exchanged between CC-4 and CC-5 about Tommy Lin’s involvement
in the scheme to deport Victim-1. Additionally, CC-5 would frequently forward to CC-4
screenshots of messages between CC-5 and Lin.

a. Below are some of the relevant messages about the scheme that CC-4 and

CC-5 exchanged on or about November 17, 2019 using WeChat, which is an encrypted
messaging platform with servers based in China:2

From Translation
CC-5 We need to meet up with Tommy next week
CC-5 He used to work in the New York Mayor’s office as the

director. Now he works in the environmental protection
agency, not sure about the title. He also holds a title at
the immigration office.

CC-5 He may have a chance to be in the white house after the
change of term.

CC-5 If we have SSNs, we can get IDs. Then we can find
people from Taiwan to come here. Things will be
simple.

b. CC-5 then sent a screenshot of Tommy Lin’s business card, indicating that

Lin serves as a “Senior Advisor” within the New York City Police Department’s (“NYPD”)
Asian Advisory Council.

c. On or about June 1, 2020, CC-5’s WeChat Account sent to CC-4’s
WeChat Account a screenshot of text messages with Tommy Lin regarding assistance with
deporting Victim-1 who “owes bank money” because of concerns that “he may report us to the

2 Unless otherwise noted, messages sent between CC-4, CC-5, and Lin are in Chinese, and draft
English translations are provided here.

police.” CC-5 asked Lin: “Is there any way to keep his mouth shut and deport him directly?”
CC-5’s WeChat Account also sent to CC-4’s WeChat Account a screenshot of messages sent to
Lin containing Victim-1’s driver’s license and social security card.

d. The CC-5 WeChat Account and the CC-4 WeChat Account then

exchanged a series of messages discussing the plan to arrest Victim-1 between in or around June
2020 and in or around September 2020, including messages indicating that Tommy Lin would
need to be paid $20,000 to arrange for the arrest and deportation of Victim-1:

From Date/Time Translation
CC-5 6/1/2020 8:36:18 PM(UTC+0) I finished venting to [nickname of co-conspirator not

named herein]. Tommy said it would be $20,000. I want
to mess with him. I did everything I promised him, gave
him all the money. He still wants to act shamelessly. So
he can’t blame me for being heartless.

CC-5 6/1/2020 8:37:59 PM(UTC+0) Can you find [Victim-1]’s SSNs and DOB?
CC-4 6/1/2020 8:38:14 PM(UTC+0) I had a hard time finding it
CC-5 6/1/2020 8:39:04 PM(UTC+0) We need to be clear with the two names and two sets of

identification. If he dares to resist arrest, just shoot him.
CC-5 6/1/2020 9:07:27 PM(UTC+0) I will ask Tommy to arrange the arrest. You help me get

$10,000 and I will give $10,000. Let’s take care of him!
CC-5 6/2/2020 12:57:35 PM(UTC+0) I will meet Tommy in these couple of days. Tommy

looked at the information and confirmed it could be an
arrest. Once he got arrested: 1) the Immigration
department can lock him up for six months, then court.
If they find guns in his house, that will be five years.
Every bullet will be a year. They will confiscate all the
unexplained cash. 2) Tommy said if he wanted to report
anyone to the immigration department, they wouldn’t
care. If they found guns in his house and sent him to the
criminal court, he didn’t have enough evidence to report
anyone. Even if he gave them our photos, it would be
useless because he didn’t know how the back office
operated. Also, he would be in more trouble if he told
anyone about any of these. He needs at least $50,000 to
make bail.

CC-5 6/3/2020 3:40:17 PM(UTC+0) I will give money to Tommy first. After the arrest, you
can use the thermometer balance3 as the money you owe
him. Don’t give him the money and let him find a way
to sell them.

CC-4 6/3/2020 3:41:03 PM(UTC+0) That sounds great
CC-5 6/4/2020 12:31:35 PM(UTC+0) If you can, get as much money as possible. [nickname

of co-conspirator not named herein]’s wage is coming

3 Based on my review of other text messages between CC-4 and CC-5, I know that there were
discussions prior to this date about Tommy Lin’s purchase of a large batch of thermometers from
CC-4 and CC-5.

up. I also gave Tommy $10,000 yesterday. I have no
extra money to pay first.

CC-4 7/6/2020 7:45:45 PM(UTC+0) How’s [Victim-1]’s matter?
CC-5 7/6/2020 7:46:48 PM(UTC+0) Immigration department is still not open yet. Once they

are open, they will go arrest him. Now we have nowhere
to lock him, he can get bail. Once the office is open,
won’t be able to make bail.

CC-5 7/6/2020 7:47:03 PM(UTC+0) Tommy said they will arrest him in August for sure.
CC-5 7/6/2020 7:50:09 PM(UTC+0) Tommy can arrest anyone with no papers here. There

will be difficulties with green cards. If it’s a citizen,
that’s pointless to arrest them, they can bail.

CC-5 8/16/2020 2:20:54 PM(UTC+0) About [Victim-1], Tommy said they will arrest him
either next week or the week after, we need to give him
$10,000.

CC-5 9/11/2020 11:53:38 AM(UTC+0) Tommy’s people have been waiting for Victim-1
downstairs for two days already. If they arrest Victim-1,
we will need to give Tommy $10,000

e. On or about October 28, 2020, the CC-5 WeChat Account sent a text

message to the CC-4 WeChat Account, stating: “Caught him.” The CC-5 WeChat Account then
stated: “I told Tommy that I will send him the money in a few days. I said I am busy I don’t
have time.” The CC-5 WeChat Account then sent to the CC-4 WeChat Account photographs of
Victim-1 under arrest and sitting in an ICE holding cell:

f. The CC-5 WeChat Account also sent to the CC-4 WeChat Account
messages sent by Tommy Lin to CC-5:

g. On or about October 29, 2020, the CC-5 WeChat Account sent to the CC-
4 WeChat Account an audio file in Mandarin that said, in sum and substance, that: (1) Lin wants
to meet and get money; (2) Lin said not to show anyone the photos he sent because they are for
internal use only, and all people involved will get penalized if the pictures became public. The
CC-4 WeChat Account also sent a screenshot from the ICE website indicating that Victim-1 was
now detained at the Orange County Correctional Facility.

29. Based on my review of records from ICE, I know that Victim-1 was arrested by
ICE agents on or about October 28, 2020 in Flushing, New York, and then transported to 26
Federal Plaza in Manhattan for post-arrest processing. The ICE arrest report was signed by
HENRY YAU, the defendant, and included photographs matching the ones that Tommy Lin sent
to CC-5. ICE records also indicate that YAU prepared a “FIELD OPERATIONS
WORKSHEET” on or about September 8, 2020 containing a summary of Victim-1’s criminal
history, Victim-1’s home address, and an operational risk assessment, which also contained a
photograph that appeared to be from Victim-1’s driver’s license.

30. Based on my personal involvement in this investigation and my review of law

enforcement reports, I know that on or about November 16, 2023, law enforcement agents
executed a search warrant on electronic devices in Tommy Lin’s possession. During a search of
Lin’s cellphone, law enforcement officers found, among other things the following:

a. Saved to Lin’s cellphone on or about September 8, 2020 was a photograph
of an individual holding what appears to be an excerpt of the “FIELD OPERATIONS
WORKSHEET” that HENRY YAU, the defendant, prepared on that same date. It thus appears
that YAU provided to Lin a copy of the “FIELD OPERATIONS WORKSHEET”—a document
labeled “LAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE. FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY.”

b. On or about January 11, 2019, a photograph was saved to Lin’s cellphone

containing I-94 information (a form filled out by aliens entering the United States) with the

name, date of birth, and passport number of an individual who had most recently entered the
country in or around August 2017 using a Chinese passport.

c. Lin’s cellphone also contained text messages with a contact saved in the
cellphone as “HENRY YAU” with a phone number, which, based on ICE records, was the
number assigned to a government-issued cellphone being used at the time by YAU (the “YAU
Government Cellphone”). In one text message exchange from on or about August 27-28, 2019,
Lin appears to ask YAU whether a particular person in Delaware can be detained by ICE:

From Date/Time Translation
Lin 8/27/2019 7:51:11 PM(UTC+0) Hey HENRY, Can you guys detain someone in

Delaware?
Lin 8/27/2019 7:51:15 PM(UTC+0) [Photograph of Delaware Driver’s License]
YAU 8/27/2019 7:51:47 PM(UTC+0) Is he in nyc?
YAU 8/27/2019 7:52:06 PM(UTC+0) If he’s in another state I have to refer it to ICE in that

state he resides
Lin 8/27/2019 7:52:58 PM(UTC+0) He is in another state. Currently not in NYC
Lin 8/27/2019 8:21:30 PM(UTC+0) I will try to get you more details.
YAU 8/28/2019 11:14:12 AM(UTC+0) Do you know his immigration status
YAU 8/28/2019 11:15:25 AM(UTC+0) I’ll run him when I get back to the office
Lin 8/28/2019 5:18:30 PM(UTC+0) I am trying to get his A#

d. Similarly, in another text message exchange, Lin appears to ask YAU

whether he can check ICE databases for information about whether a “friend of mine” passed
their citizenship interview. Lin then transmits to YAU a person’s name, date of birth, and alien
registration number. YAU then asks to connect with Lin via WeChat:

From Date/Time Translation
Lin 9/20/2019 5:24:04 PM(UTC+0) A friend of mine went for interview a few weeks ago.

Can you find out if the pass or not?
YAU 9/20/2019 5:36:04 PM(UTC+0) What’s his name?
YAU 9/20/2019 5:37:11 PM(UTC+0) So I hope I can make it tonight but my schedule so far is

really been busy. We have operation and next week I’m
going to Africa for the week for depositions

YAU 9/20/2019 5:37:14 PM(UTC+0) Deporation
YAU 9/20/2019 5:37:26 PM(UTC+0) Deportations
Lin 9/20/2019 5:41:28 PM(UTC+0) Her name is

[name of individual and date of birth]
YAU 9/20/2019 5:43:06 PM(UTC+0) Chinese guy?
Lin 9/20/2019 5:44:01 PM(UTC+0) Chinese girl
Lin 9/20/2019 5:46:37 PM(UTC+0) [alien registration number for individual]
YAU 9/20/2019 5:51:54 PM(UTC+0) Na man?
YAU 9/20/2019 5:51:57 PM(UTC+0) U got wechat?
Lin 9/20/2019 5:52:24 PM(UTC+0) Yes
YAU 9/20/2019 5:52:46 PM(UTC+0) What is it

Lin 9/20/2019 5:52:57 PM(UTC+0)

Based on my conversations with a DHS Office of Inspector General (“DHS-OIG”) investigator, I
know that audit trail records indicate that YAU’s login credentials were used to conduct a search
in DHS law enforcement databases for the individual described above on or about September 21,
2019.

31. Based on my personal involvement in this investigation, my conversations with
other law enforcement officers, and my review of recordings, I know that on or about June 5, 2024,
law enforcement officers conducted an interview of HENRY YAU, the defendant, and executed a
court-authorized search warrant for electronic devices in YAU’s possession. During this
interview, YAU stated, among other things, the following:

a. YAU had received information from Tommy Lin about an individual that

was not in the country legally, and YAU then used information from Lin to conduct an arrest of
that person. YAU admitted that he “likely” and “probably” gave information from an ICE Field
Operations Worksheet to Lin.

b. YAU also admitted that he “likely” and “probably” accepted gifts from

Lin—including a G-Shock watch, liquor, and dinners—although he claimed that these were gifts
exchanged as part of a mutual friendship and were not bribes or gratuities.

c. YAU denied that Lin or anyone else had ever attempted to get personal
identifying information from him, agreeing that it would be an “egregious violation” for him to
divulge personal identifying information from a government database to a third party.

d. When asked about the WeChat messaging application, YAU also stated: “I

stay away from that” and stated that he last used WeChat “years ago” and to the best of his
knowledge had not communicated with Lin via WeChat. Based on the evidence described in this
Complaint, including the numerous text messages sent and received by YAU’s cellphones via
WeChat, I do not believe that YAU was truthful during this interview.

HENRY YAU’s Dissemination of Confidential Government Information to CC-1

32. Based on my review of publicly available information, I know that CC-1 is a
Flushing resident who was recently a candidate for City Council in New York City and the New
York State Assembly. As further discussed below, investigation has revealed that HENRY
YAU, the defendant, on multiple occasions provided information from confidential law
enforcement databases to CC-1. During the same timeframe, YAU also received favors from
CC-1, including tax advice from CC-1’s accountant.

33. Based on my participation in the court-authorized search of the personal

cellphone of HENRY YAU, the defendant, seized in or around June 2024 (the “YAU Personal
Cellphone”), I know that the YAU Personal Cellphone exchanged numerous messages with a
WhatsApp account with a username matching the name of CC-1 and with a photograph matching
the appearance of CC-1 (the “CC-1 WhatsApp Account’), as well as a WeChat Account with a
username matching the name of CC-1 (the “CC-1 WeChat Account”). In messages between the
YAU Personal Cellphone and the CC-1 WhatsApp Account, the user of the CC-1 WhatsApp
Account also provided to YAU the date of birth of CC-1. Below are some of the messages
exchanged between the YAU Personal Cellphone and the CC-1 WhatsApp Account:

a. On or about June 17, 2018, the YAU Personal Cellphone sent a message

to the CC-1 WeChat Account stating: “Bro if you have any frds reporting to immigration from
now on. Let me know before and I’ll check it for you and tell u if they gonna take them into
custody or not if they report” | “cause trump said take everyone bro.” Based on my training,
experience, and participation in this investigation, including my review of other messages, it
appears that YAU was offering to tell CC-1 whether any non-citizens reporting to immigration-
related appointments will be taken into custody when they report.

b. On or about February 23, 2019, the CC-1 WeChat Account sent a message

containing an image of a New York State driver’s license in the name of an individual (“Victim-
2”) and the message: “Can I help me check her status bro . Applied for green card back on 2014
still no results.”

c. The YAU Personal Cellphone responded on or about March 20, 2019 with

a photograph of a computer screen depicting information about Victim-2 from a USCIS database
that contains information about immigration-related applications filed by aliens. The YAU
Personal Cellphone also sent messages stating: “She’s ok for now. Her asylum status was
granted | She Applied for green card | 2014.” The CC-1 WhatsApp Account responded: “Yes but
she said is been long time | Anything holding it ?” The YAU Personal Cellphone responded:

“Yea looks like it went through a frauds check.” The CC-1 WhatsApp Account responded:
“What do I mean” | “Do u”. The YAU Personal Cellphone then responded with additional
screenshots from a USCIS database, as well as the question “Did she change her name and
address in 2016 with the green card application?” Based on my conversations with a DHS-OIG
investigator with access to audit trail records, I know that YAU’s login credentials were used to
query Victim-2 in USCIS’s database on or about March 20, 2019—the same date that the
screenshots were sent to CC-1.

d. On or about June 20, 2019, the CC-1 WhatsApp Account sent messages to

the YAU Personal Cellphone stating: “Bro , can you help me Run this ? check her status for me”
| “It’s important for me she owes me fd $$.” The CC-1 WhatsApp Account then sent a
photograph of a driver’s license for a particular individual (“Victim-3”). The YAU Personal
Cellphone responded: “Wechat.” The CC-1 WeChat Account and the YAU Personal Cellphone
then exchanged the following messages:

CC-1 WeChat Account: Just snap pictures of her information on your screen

YAU Personal Cellphone: Yea bro. Ask me here | WhatsApp not safe

CC-1 WeChat Account: Ok | Can you run her | Send me any info u have on her

YAU Personal Cellphone: She’s applying for asylum now | He came in on a visitor visa | If

they deny the asylum, I can arrest her her | Because she will have
been a visa overstay

CC-1 WeChat Account: Can you snap a picture of her info on screen | It’s expired on

9/27/19

YAU Personal Cellphone: Yea Ill ask caudse [misspelling for “cause”] I had my coworker

run it for me cause I’m not in office. Yes the visitor visa expires
on 9/27/19

CC-1 WeChat Account: ok | Send me ASAP thanks bro

YAU Personal Cellphone: [Photograph]4 | That her

CC-1 WeChat Account: yes

Based on my conversations with investigators with DHS-OIG, I know that on or about June 20,
2019, YAU queried for information about Victim-3 in USCIS’s databases.

e. On or about October 12, 2021, the CC-1 WeChat Account sent messages
to the YAU Personal Cellphone, stating: “Can you help me check travel history for a person.”
The YAU Personal Cellphone responded: “I’m flying most of the time to Haiti” | “In a remote
location. Kinda tough. Let me text my frd or [name of co-conspirator not named herein].” The

4 This photograph was no longer available on the YAU Personal cellphone at the time of the
search by law enforcement.

CC-1 WeChat Account responded: “[name of co-conspirator not named herein] said he can’t do
it” | “It’s urgent bro plz.” | “Very important.” | “Bro.” The YAU Personal Cellphone responded:
“My signal isn’t good. I’m in the desert with make shift camps. Waiting for text back.”

f. Between in or around 2016 and in or around 2021, YAU and CC-1

exchanged numerous messages in which YAU occasionally asked for favors from CC-1,
including: (1) asking tax-related questions to CC-1, and having CC-1 provide advice from CC-
1’s accountant (YAU: “If Someone is giving me a 1099 on 100k cause I invested and got that as
profit. Is there a way to not pay taxes on it?” | CC-1: “Let me check with my cpa tomorrow”);
and (2) getting into business together for obtaining food cart permits (“CC-1: Lets make $$” |
“YAU: Bro how much u think a food cart license person will rent the license for?”).

HENRY YAU’s Dissemination of Confidential Government Information to CC-2

34. Based on my review of publicly available information and my conversations with
other law enforcement officers, I know that CC-2 is a former employee at a school in the United
States who pleaded guilty in or about June 2020 to wire fraud, in violation of 18 U.S.C. § 1344,
relating to CC-2’s participation in a scheme to obtain admission slots for unqualified
international students.

35. Based on my participation in the court-authorized search of the YAU Personal

Cellphone, I know that the YAU Personal Cellphone exchanged numerous messages with a
WeChat account with a username containing the initials of CC-2 (the “CC-2 WeChat Account’).
In the messages between the YAU Personal Cellphone and the CC-2 WeChat Account, the CC-2
WeChat Account identifies the user of the account by the name of CC-2 and communicates to
YAU on particular dates when CC-2 was flying into and out of the United States in a way that
matches border crossing records for CC-2. Below are some of the messages exchanged between
the YAU Personal Cellphone and the CC-2 WeChat Account:

a. On or about December 26, 2018, the CC-2 WeChat Account and the YAU

Personal Cellphone exchanged the following messages:

YAU Personal Cellphone: Are you flying outside the US?

CC-2 WeChat Account: I was thinking you may not get back to me [Grimace]

YAU Personal Cellphone: Or you traveling inside the US?

CC-2 WeChat Account: Going to Europe | It was a vacation I have planned |

Remember I told u before ? | The problem is I don’t have
the contact info of the officer and agency | So I have no
way to find out

b. The YAU Personal Cellphone and the CC-2 WeChat Account then engage

in a voice call for approximately one minute and 29 seconds before exchanging the following
messages:

CC-2 WeChat Account: [Name of CC-2]

YAU Personal Cellphone: Date of birth?

CC-2 WeChat Account: [Date of birth of CC-2] | Am I clear ?

YAU Personal Cellphone: Bro. I check. And I don’t see anything restricting you bro

CC-2 WeChat Account: Cool , then I am going to have a vacation . Deal with the

shit when I come back

c. On or about December 30, 2018, the CC-2 WeChat Account and the YAU
Personal Cellphone exchanged the following messages:

CC-2 WeChat Account: If things are out of control , you think they will get me in

HK or oversea ? Or unlikely ?

YAU Personal Cellphone: It’s ok because China doesn’t have a extradition treat with

the US

CC-2 WeChat Account: But Hong Kong has | They won’t do extradition for small

case , right ? | Only for certain high profile case ?

YAU Personal Cellphone: That’s usually the case

CC-2 WeChat Account: I see . | I will meet u in China or HK haha

YAU Personal Cellphone: Of course. Haha

Based on my training, experience, and participation in this investigation, it appears that CC-2
asked YAU to check law enforcement databases to see whether CC-2 would be prohibited by
law enforcement from departing the United States because of a potential criminal investigation.
Later on, CC-2 and YAU discussed whether it is likely that the United States would be able to
extradite CC-2 from Hong Kong.

d. On or about February 22, 2019, the CC-2 WeChat Account sent a series of
audio files to the YAU Personal Cellphone requesting that YAU run certain checks relating to
“collections” for a “cousin.” The YAU Personal Cellphone asked: “When’s she coming back in?”
The CC-2 WeChat Account responded: “Feb 28.” The CC-2 WeChat Account later asked: “Any
restriction ?” The YAU Personal Cellphone responded: “I didn’t find any restriction on customs
coming back to US.”

e. On or about January 13, 2020, the CC-2 WeChat Account and the YAU

Personal Cellphone exchanged the following messages, including audio files in Cantonese that
have been translated into English drafts below:

CC-2 WeChat Account: [Audio File: I signed. Yes, I logged in and gave me a very

simple message, but that is nothing, in fact, the most
important thing I want to know, because I don't remember

that I told you before, I have a legal trouble, the lawyer,
this time I go back and I will deal with this matter, I will
find a lawyer in a few days to deal with this matter, this is
the previous legal trouble, I told you last year, I want to
know if I will have any problems at the airport now? If
there is a problem, I will be ready, if you can, you help me
see if there is any problem, I am not trying to leave
anything, I just want to be ready, if you can check it out for
me, it would be best thank you HENRY.]

. . .

YAU Personal Cellphone: Ok Hey bro. Yea i will check | [Audio File: What did

you say happened to you last year? Tell me again. What is
it? Are they investigating you or what?]

CC-2 WeChat Account: [AUDIO FILE: Investigate: About those school admission

scandals, those lawyers called me back because they said
they wanted to interview me, but they said it wasn’t a big
deal, not very serious, because if it was serious, I couldn’t
go, anyway, I wanted to know what was going on now,
because I didn’t want to be surprised by then, you know]

. . .

YAU Personal Cellphone: [AUDIO FILE: I’m looking at that thing, and maybe

they’re blocking you from coming in from the global entry
because you have that one that is an active investigation]
[AUDIO FILE: Do you remember those admission
scandals you told me last year?] [AUDIO FILE: There’s
another investigation into the matter]

CC-2 WeChat Account: [AUDIO FILE: Did you see that your system saw that I had

a watchlist that I should be delayed or arrested at the
airport?”] [AUDIO FILE: Because you know I’m trying to
cooperate, I’m going back, or I wouldn’t have gone back or
bothered them, you’ve got about 16 to find them, but I
don’t want to be surprised at the airport”]

YAU Personal Cellphone: [AUDIO FILE: They’re just saying it’s like an operational

investigation] [AUDIO FILE: I understand that this is an
operational investigation, and that doesn’t mean anything
bad, but it could be a violation of your international entry
status because they don’t want anyone to be on the
international entry list in the investigation.] [AUDIO
FILE: But it doesn’t mean that you’re going to be detained
or in trouble]

CC-2 WeChat Account: [AUDIO FILE: Trouble you, trouble you, trouble me, you

help me see, should it be okay? If you’re OK, you’re going
to help me check it, it’s really bothering you”]

YAU Personal Cellphone: [AUDIO FILE: No need to be afraid. No need to be afraid.

Yes, that’s what I’m seeing in the system. But I don’t
know what they want to do until I speak to an agent in
charge of the case.] [AUDIO FILE: You know for the
updates of the case, you know. I don’t know the actual
investigator or officer in charge of the case. I don’t know
what they are going to do. Are you flying into LA or JFK.]
[AUDIO FILE: This looks like a California investigation.]

CC-2 WeChat Account: [AUDIO FILE: Hey, hey, HENRY HENRY, you see I have

an Active Investigation, but you don’t know what’s gonna
happen next, and you don’t know what he’s gonna do.] | Is
it like a warrant ? | LAx

YAU Personal Cellphone: No not a warrant | [AUDIO FILE: Just an investigation.

Not a warrant. Not a warrant.]

CC-2 WeChat Account: I see | [AUDIO FILE: OK, do you usually call the agent in

these cases and ask him what he wants, or what he usually
does? At the airport, is there something that won’t
necessarily happen to me? It's just an investigation, isn’t
it?]

YAU Personal Cellphone: [AUDIO FILE: Yeah, just an investigation pretty much.

They looking into it. They might have you as a witness. It’s
not 100% you’re the subject of the investigation. It’s just
like, they’re investigating something and you’re the
witness.]

CC-2 WeChat Account: I see | Thank you for checking | [AUDIO FILE: Well, thank

you, Henry, I deleted my message with you, so as not to
cause any trouble, thank you]

Based on the messages between the YAU Personal Cellphone and the CC-2 WeChat Account, I
understand the foregoing back-and-forth to have involved, in sum, CC-2 asking YAU to check
law enforcement databases to see whether CC-2 would potentially be arrested upon entering the
country. YAU responded that CC-2 was flagged in a law enforcement database relating to an
investigation based in California, but the database did not indicate that CC-2 had any outstanding
arrest warrants. Based on my conversations with other law enforcement officers, I know that
between in or around 2016 and in or around 2020, CC-2 was being investigated by FBI agents
based in California.21

f. On or about January 13, 2020—the same date that CC-2 asked YAU for
information about whether CC-2 is under investigation—the CC-2 WeChat Account also sent an
audio file to the YAU Personal Cellphone about potential real estate investment opportunities:
“And the last time you said you wanted to see the apartments? I went to Zhuhai and Zhongshan
this time, and I thought they had potential, so you can go there next time, and if you haven’t
bought them yet, they haven’t said they’re expensive yet, and Zhongshan and Zhuhai, because I
think those in Shenzhen and Guangzhou are too expensive, and you can look at the apartments
that I think should have high potential.” Based on my training, experience, and participation in
this investigation, I understand these messages to involve, in substance, CC-2 offering to assist
YAU with real estate opportunities in China simultaneously with CC-2 asking YAU to provide
information about whether CC-2 will be detained or arrested when flying into the United States.

HENRY YAU’s Dissemination of Confidential Government Information to CC-3

36. Based on my participation in the court-authorized search of the YAU Personal
Cellphone, I know that the YAU Personal Cellphone exchanged numerous messages with a
Signal account and WeChat account associated with a particular phone number (the “CC-3
Signal Account” and the “CC-3 WeChat Account”). In the messages between the YAU Personal
Cellphone and the CC-3 Signal Account, the user of the CC-3 Signal Account sent photographs
indicating that CC-3 is the user of the CC-3 Signal Account, and as further discussed below, CC-
3 later appears to ask YAU to check on the status of CC-3’s application with DHS’s Global
Enrollment System.

37. Below are some of the messages exchanged between the YAU Personal

Cellphone and the CC-3 Signal Account:

a. On or about May 24, 2019, the YAU Personal Cellphone sent to the CC-3
Signal Account a screenshot of a DHS Office of Security document titled “MEMORANDUM
FOR CLASSIFIED COURIERS,” portions of which are depicted below, including the bottom of
the screenshot reflecting that YAU’s DHS email account was also open:

b. The YAU Personal Cellphone then sent a message stating: “They are
making me a classified courier for my field office because of my intelligence work.” The CC-3
Signal Account responded: “Haha more work for you to do.”

c. Between on or about June 18, 2019 and on or about June 19, 2019, the
YAU Personal Cellphone exchanged a series of messages with the CC-3 Signal Account,
including the following:

YAU Personal Cellphone: With stuff like that, ask me here | What’s his last name

CC-3 Signal Account: [last name of individual (“Victim-4”)] | Sorry bro | It didn’t cross

my mind since u can do it legally

YAU Personal Cellphone: Yeah but I always air on the side of caution [SCREENSHOT of

W-2 for Victim-4 containing a social security number | That’s a
weird ass SS# | You got a DOB?

CC-3 Signal Account: Let me check don’t know it . . I thought name and ss was good

enough

YAU Personal Cellphone: I can run the SS | Give me a sec

CC-3 Signal Account: I was told he is a green card holder

YAU Personal Cellphone: Ok [SCREENSHOT of photograph of Victim-4]

YAU Personal Cellphone: He just got his green card in 2016 | After coming here illegally.

This is how fucked the US is | Basically he got a green card

through his US citizenship child | his US citizen child applied for
him. The term anchor babies

CC-3 Signal Account: Let me ask is it him

YAU Personal Cellphone: Only way to arrest him now if he gets convicted of a crime

CC-3 Signal Account: That’s why so many ppl try to bring their kids here

YAU Personal Cellphone: No actually they just come here illegal and pop babies. Once kid is

born here. It’s automatically a US citizen

CC-3 Signal Account: But they are pregnant in there country most of the time | He is

[name of individual] staff | He is trying to Extort money from him
he got hurt at work | He hurt his hand | [name of individual] paid
him 2 month salary for it. | When he return to work he doesn’t
show up everyday and expect to be paid everyday

YAU Personal Cellphone: Of course. Welcome to America!

CC-3 Signal Account: And if [name of individual] doesn’t pay him he said he will sue |

He thinks it’s his daughter that put him up to it

YAU Personal Cellphone: Well he already benefited from getting here illegally | He broke the

rules and he got away with it now he’s trying to do the same again

CC-3 Signal Account: So fucked up | So [name of individual] want to scare him and say

to just back off

YAU Personal Cellphone: Give me his spouse name or wife

CC-3 Signal Account: Want to do a drive by and pay him a visit ? Will try to get for u

YAU Personal Cellphone: I’ll take them if they takable

d. Based on my conversations with a representative of DHS-OIG with access
to audit trail logs for YAU, I know that YAU’s credentials were used to run a search for Victim-
3 in USCIS’s databases on or about June 18, 2019 and on or about June 19, 2019. Based on my
training, experience, and participation in this investigation, the foregoing back-and-forth
involves, in sum and substance, CC-3 asking YAU to check immigration databases for the
immigration status of Victim-4, who had been allegedly trying to extort an employer after being
injured at work. YAU then checked USCIS’s databases for Victim-4 and informed CC-3 that
Victim-4 had gained permanent residency in 2016 after entering the country illegally because
Victim-4 had a child that was born in the United States and had obtained citizenship. YAU
offers to try to arrest Victim-4 and Victim-4’s spouse (“I’ll take them if they takable.”).

e. On or about June 19, 2019, the YAU Personal Cellphone and the CC-3
Signal Account exchanged the following messages, among others:

CC-3 Signal Account: Hey bro don’t forget to run the girl if you can today

YAU Personal Cellphone: The person that sponsored that guy is [name of individual] | Hold

up. That’s the wife | Daughter name : [name of Victim-5] | Do you
have an approximate DOB or age? [screenshot of computer screen]
Found her [screenshot of computer screen depicted below]

YAU Personal Cellphone: She’s a US citizen as of 2015

CC-3 Signal Account: Yea she did fake marriage | From what I heard

YAU Personal Cellphone: Doesn’t matter. They granted her and fake marriage is hard to

prove.

CC-3 Signal Account: U can threaten her about it. Any last know address?

f. Based on my conversations with a representative of DHS-OIG with access
to audit trail logs for YAU, I know that YAU’s credentials were used to run a search for
Victim-5 in USCIS’s databases on or about June 18, 2019 and on or about June 19, 2019.

g. Between on or about July 25, 2019 and on or about July 26, 2019, the
CC-3 Signal Account exchanged the following messages with the YAU Personal Cellphone,
among others:

CC-3 Signal Account: [screenshot of a name, address, and phone number] | Hey bro can u

run this guy for me | I don’t have his DOB | No Rush | Never mind
| I got the 411 on his ass already

YAU Personal Cellphone: Ok. I was at training today. Couldn’t run it. Didn’t go into the

office.

CC-3 Signal Account: It’s ok | This is the guy that [name of Victim-6] was seeing since

jan 2018

YAU Personal Cellphone: [Victim-6] was seeing?

CC-3 Signal Account: Yes | She is still with him now

YAU Personal Cellphone: [Victim-6] | So she was cheating on you | Guess it was her own

guilty conscience

CC-3 Signal Account: I got into her phone | Recorded her chats with him and pics |

Fucking crazy

. . .

CC-3 Signal Account: Can u run a phone number to see who it is registration to ?

. . .

YAU Personal Cellphone: What’s the phone number?

CC-3 Signal Account: [phone number]

. . .

YAU Personal Cellphone: [screenshot below]

h. The YAU Personal Cellphone then said: “That number didn’t come back
to any one person.” Based on my training, experience, and familiarity with law enforcement
databases, I know that the screenshot sent by the YAU Personal Cellphone to the CC-3 Signal
Account appears to have been generated by a law enforcement database that pulls from both
public and non-public sources to provide information about phone numbers, including possible
subscriber and provider information.

i. Between on or about July 28, 2019 and on or about July 30, 2019, the CC-
3 Signal Account repeatedly sent messages to the YAU Personal Cellphone asking for
information about Victim-6, including the following messages:

CC-3 Signal Account: Can u check when and where she came in at ? | If I send u her info?

| Don’t have her passport | Just her hk id which has all the info
[screenshot of Victim-6’s Hong Kong identification card]

. . .

CC-3 Signal Account: Can you run when [Victim-6] came into usa and at which entry
point? | Hey bro don’t forget | Run [Victim-6] Chinese name thru
the system and see when and where she came in at for me

j. The YAU Personal Cellphone then sent a photograph of a screenshot of
Victim-4’s name, date of birth, citizenship, passport numbers, gender, flight history in and out of
the country, and border crossing history. Later on in the conversation, the YAU Personal
Cellphone sent messages to the CC-3 Signal Account: “Do not disseminate that pic” | “Do not
send anyone else that pic” | “I don’t like to leave records.”

k. Based on my training, experience, and familiarity with law enforcement
databases, I know that the screenshot reflects a query of Victim-5 within DHS’s border-crossing
databases that keep records of border crossings by individuals.

l. On or about July 23, 2021, the YAU Personal Cellphone sent a screenshot
to the CC-3 WeChat encrypted messaging application of what appears to be a check on the status
of a Global Enrollment System application by CC-3:

m. Between in or about 2017 and in or about 2023, the YAU Personal
Cellphone and the CC-3 Signal Account exchanged numerous messages indicating that YAU and
CC-3 are attempting to make money together through various business opportunities. For
example, in or about June 2019, the YAU Personal Cellphone and the CC-3 Signal Account

exchanged numerous messages discussing a business venture to become an ammunition supplier
to the U.S. Government. YAU contacted another individual who appeared to be a General
Services Administration (“GSA”) contracting officer representative (the “GSA Representative”)
with questions from CC-3: “[CC-3] has some questions. You willing or want to jump in with him
in obtaining government contract for ammo. If so, we need to know who is the current supplier.
How can we get into the bid process? How does the bidding work? And old bids we can look at?
Getting the company or a ammo company to be GSA approved.” The GSA Representative
responded: “As a contracting officer’s representative, I don’t think I can | It’s off limits until I’m
retired.” The YAU Personal Cellphone responded: “Talking about under the radar stuff.
Informational purposes Maybe non officially.” The GSA Representative responded: “I think the
idea is over the top and out of my league.”

WHEREFORE, I respectfully request that a warrant be issued for the arrest of HENRY
YAU, the defendant, and that he be arrested, and imprisoned or bailed, as the case may be.

______________________________
Robiel Ande
Special Agent
Federal Bureau of Investigation

Sworn to me through the transmission of
this Complaint by reliable electronic
means (telephone), this 19th day of November, 2024.

___________________________________
THE HONORABLE STEWART D. AARON
United States Magistrate Judge
Southern District of New York

/s/ Robiel Ande, by SDA with permission

OCR text (64,090c · textlayer · 95% conf)