BUFFALO — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is warning New Yorkers after three illegally present Chinese nationals were arrested for targeting elderly victims in financial fraud schemes, collectively attempting to steal over $100,000.
On Monday, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations apprehended Jian Chen following his arrest on felony grand larceny charges. Chen is accused of defrauding a 63-year-old woman out of $42,000 and then attempting to obtain an additional $98,000 from the same victim. He was arrested in Potsdam by Homeland Security Investigations agents with assistance from ICE officers.
On May 29, HSI Massena and ICE arrested Rihui Yan, who allegedly attempted to swindle a local elderly couple out of $20,000. Yan is also wanted in Wyoming County for a similar offense.
Both men remain in ICE custody without bond as removal proceedings move forward.
“It takes a real dirtbag to prey on our most vulnerable community members by attempting to swindle them out of their hard-earned savings,” said ICE ERO Deputy Field Office Director Joseph Freden.
In a previous case, ICE arrested Hui Chen on Oct. 24 after a referral from the Ticonderoga Police Department. Chen was charged with grand larceny and conspiracy after allegedly attempting to defraud another elderly victim of approximately $40,000. He remains in custody pending immigration hearings.
“These arrests underscore HSI’s commitment to disrupting and dismantling transnational criminal organizations,” said HSI Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan.
ICE officials said the agency’s Victims of Immigration Crime Engagement Office continues to provide support to those impacted by crimes committed by individuals with immigration violations.
Three arrests in nine months have prompted federal immigration authorities to issue a public warning amid rising fraud targeting the elderly in New York.
