A man from California was arrested on Wednesday for scamming individuals out of thousands of dollars by impersonating U.S. officials, according to the Washington County Virginia Sheriff’s Office (WCSO). The suspect, identified as Dongsheng Chen, 30, from San Leandro, California, allegedly posed as officials from the U.S. Treasury and U.S. Marshals Service. He falsely claimed that the victims were facing issues with their Social Security, tricking them into handing over large sums of cash.
Chen’s scam spanned several days, with victims believing they were addressing serious legal issues with their Social Security accounts. He was caught during an attempt to scam more victims, leading to his arrest. Chen faces multiple charges, including obtaining money under false pretense, attempted obtaining money under false pretense, and conspiracy to commit fraud.
Described as a U.S. Permanent Resident from China, Chen is being held without bond at the Southwest Virginia Regional Jail. Sheriff Blake Andis emphasized the rising trend of scam-related crimes and urged the public to remain vigilant against such fraudulent schemes.
This incident serves as a reminder to be cautious when dealing with unsolicited calls or messages claiming to be from government officials. If you suspect a scam, it’s important to verify the legitimacy of any request before sharing personal or financial information.
