Suffolk County police arrested a Bronx man for stealing thousands of dollars from a Center Moriches woman during a phone scam in September.
A 65-year-old woman received a phone call on September 30 from a man who allegedly purported to be a Chase bank representative, claiming her account had been compromised and the woman was instructed to transfer $44,000 into another account. A short time later, withdrawals were made at two Chase bank branches in New Jersey totaling $28,000. The woman immediately reported the incident to police and Suffolk County Financial Crimes Unit detectives were able to recover $16,000 that had not yet been withdrawn.
Detectives determined Servando Ruiz Cuenca, 45, was responsible for the thefts. With the assistance of the NYPD’s Warrants Squad, Ruiz Cuenca was arrested on May 26 at 7:38 a.m. at his home and charged with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree.
Ruiz Cuenca will be held overnight at the Third Precinct for arraignment at First District Court in Central Islip on May 27. If you believe you have been a victim of a similar scam, contact Financial Crimes Unit detectives at 631-852-6821.