A second person who was allegedly involved in an elder scam in East Rockaway has been arrested and charged with grand larceny.
After an extensive investigation, Nassau County police arrested Chengxiang Jiang, 40, of 132-39 Avery Avenue of Flushing on October 9 for Grand Larceny in the Third Degree. The other suspect, Jinqin Jiang, 46, of 625 49th Street of Brooklyn, was also charged with Grand Larceny and another charge of Resisting Arrest.
According to detectives, a 74-year-old female victim received a message on her computer informing her it had been compromised. The victim then called the phone number that was displayed on the screen and was informed that she needed to withdraw her funds from the bank to safeguard her money. The victim complied and, between October 1 and October 3, she withdrew a total of $117,000 which she handed over to numerous unknown male subjects. On October 6, the victim realized she was being scammed and contacted police.
Chiangxiang Jiang was also involved in another elder scam in Rockville Centre that occurred on Monday, August 4. Police charged him with Grand Larceny in the Third Degree.
Both defendants were released on Appearance Tickets. Further investigation revealed they are both here illegally in the United States and subject to removal proceedings. U.S. Immigration Customs Enforcement Agents (ICE) took custody of the defendants.
The Nassau County Police Department is urging the community to be on alert and to remind vulnerable family members, friends and neighbors about potential scams or frauds. Anyone who feels that they may have been a victim are asked to contact the Nassau County Fraud and Forgery Section at (516) 573-2815 or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.