CALDWELL, OHIO — Two men were arrested in Ohio after an elderly resident fell victim to a sophisticated Microsoft computer scam. The Noble County Sheriff’s Office is alerting the Ohio Valley community about this scam, which has recently “resurfaced with a vengeance.”
Sheriff Mackie reported that on September 30, 2024, an elderly resident encountered a pop-up message on their computer claiming the device had been locked due to a virus. The message provided a phone number for “assistance.”
The victim called the number, resulting in a nearly eight-hour conversation with someone impersonating a representative from a bank’s fraud department. During the call, the victim was informed that $7,000 had been fraudulently withdrawn from their account. The scammer claimed they could help prevent further loss but insisted that a bank employee was selling clients’ account information.
Under the scammer’s direction, the victim was instructed to withdraw $24,000 from their bank. The scammer remained on the line during the transaction and dispatched a “runner” to collect the money from the victim’s home in Caldwell, Ohio.
On October 1, the scammer called back, demanding an additional $40,000. Concerned, the victim contacted the Noble County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Division, prompting an investigation.
On October 3, authorities arrested Jie Chen and Qui Youkai from Elmhurst, New York, after they arrived in Caldwell to pick up the $40,000. Following the arrests, detectives executed a search warrant on the suspects’ vehicle, recovering evidence indicating other victims, including $30,000 hidden in a bank bag with a tracking device placed under the hood of the car. An additional $8,000 was also seized during the arrest.
Jie Chen faces charges including attempted theft, complicity to theft, complicity to breaking and entering, and possession of criminal tools. Qui Youkai faces similar charges. Both were given a bond of $250,000. Chen posted bond on October 9, 2024, while Youkai remains in custody.
Sheriff Mackie emphasized that scams of this nature have persisted for years, often involving requests for gift cards or electronic fund transfers.