Con man arrested after scamming elderly Yonkers woman out of $40,000
YONKERS, NY – A Brooklyn man has been arrested for allegedly swindling an elderly Yonkers resident out of $40,000 through a phone and email scheme that falsely claimed she was under federal investigation.
According to Yonkers Police, 34-year-old Zhi Wei Zhao was taken into custody following a joint investigation with the NYPD. The scam, which occurred in April, involved sending emails instructing victims to call a phone number. Once the victim was on the line, the caller posed as a government agent and demanded the withdrawal of large sums of cash to resolve fictitious legal charges.
Zhao is charged with Grand Larceny in the third degree, a felony under New York State law. Investigators said the suspect convinced the victim to turn over the cash, believing it would protect her from further legal trouble.
Authorities emphasized that no law enforcement agency or federal entity would ever request cash withdrawals to resolve investigations. Police are urging families to talk to elderly relatives about these scams and to be cautious of unsolicited communications demanding money.
Zhao was tracked down and arrested weeks after the theft. He remains in custody pending court proceedings.
Anyone receiving similar suspicious calls is encouraged to contact the Yonkers Police Department at 914-377-7900 to report the incident and verify any claims.
The case reflects a broader rise in financial scams targeting senior citizens across the region, with law enforcement continuing efforts to identify and stop offenders.
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Key Points
- Zhi Wei Zhao, 34, arrested for allegedly scamming an elderly Yonkers woman out of $40,000
- Victim was instructed via email and phone to withdraw cash for a fake investigation
- Zhao charged with third-degree Grand Larceny; police urge vigilance around financial scams