COLUMBIA COUNTY, NY — The New York State Police, in collaboration with the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, arrested Mykhaylo Mykhaylov, 39, of Copiague, NY, for his role in an elaborate fraud scheme that targeted a 73-year-old local woman and cost her nearly $100,000.
The arrest followed a coordinated undercover operation on May 7, 2025, after the woman reported being scammed by individuals claiming to be federal agents from the Federal Trade Commission.
The fraud began in March 2025, when the scammers convinced the victim that her identity had been used in international financial crimes. They instructed her to withdraw large sums from her retirement accounts and convert the money into cash and gold bars, which she personally delivered to the fraudsters on multiple occasions.
Between March 17 and May 5, she handed over:
$30,000 in cash (across two separate transactions)
$68,300 in gold bars (during a third drop-off)
Authorities staged a covert operation at an apartment complex in Greenport, where the suspect had arranged for a fourth hand-off. The victim delivered the package to a man driving a white Ford Mustang, who attempted to flee the scene after accepting it but was arrested without incident.
The man was identified as Mykhaylo Mykhaylov. He was interviewed at SP Livingston by State Police and Homeland Security agents.
He now faces the following charges:
Attempted Grand Larceny in the 3rd Degree (Class E felony)
Attempted Criminal Possession of Stolen Property in the 3rd Degree (Class E felony)
Criminal Impersonation in the 1st Degree (Class E felony)
Conspiracy in the 5th Degree (Class A misdemeanor)
Mykhaylov was issued an appearance ticket and is due back in Town of Greenport Court.
Authorities are urging the public to be vigilant and report any suspicious contact from individuals claiming to be government agents. Legitimate agencies do not request cash or gold deliveries from citizens.
