BUFFALO, N.Y. — Two Chinese nationals living in the United States illegally, Jian Chen and Rihui Yan, have been arrested in connection with scams targeting elderly victims, including a Wyoming County couple who lost more than $20,000.
Jian Chen faces grand larceny charges for defrauding a 63-year-old woman out of $42,000 through fraud and misrepresentation. He also attempted to extort an additional $98,000 and arranged to meet the victim in Potsdam. Homeland Security Investigations agents from the Massena office, with support from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, arrested Chen under a criminal warrant.
Rihui Yan was charged in Massena for scamming a couple out of $20,000 and was also wanted in Wyoming County for a similar offense. This incident previously prompted warnings from local law enforcement.
Both men are currently in ICE custody awaiting deportation proceedings.
“These individuals prey on our most vulnerable community members by swindling their hard-earned savings,” said ICE Deputy Field Office Director Joseph Freden. “We are committed to arresting and removing aliens who threaten community safety and law integrity.”
Additionally, ICE arrested Hui Chen in October in Buffalo for scamming a couple out of $40,000. The scams often involve fraudulent “tech support” calls or false claims that a grandchild is in trouble and needs money urgently.
