By Mike Harris Monday, August 11th, 2025

Santa Barbara County prosecutors have charged a woman in a suspected fraud scheme targeting an elderly victim.

Caihong Lei, 34, is charged with multiple felonies, including conspiracy to commit theft from an elder, attempted theft from an elder, and attempted theft by false pretenses, the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s office announced Aug. 7.

She is also charged with several misdemeanors, including elder abuse, petty theft, and prowling. 

As of Aug. 7, Lei was being held at the Santa Barbara County jail on $500,000 bail.