Two individuals have been arrested in connection with a foiled scam involving an elderly man and a $30,000 cash withdrawal from a Colonie credit union.
The incident took place last Wednesday around 2:30 p.m. when staff at Community Resource Federal Credit Union became suspicious after a man attempted to withdraw $30,000 under the direction of a stranger on the phone. The scammers claimed the money was for a “construction-related” project and insisted on receiving it in cash.
Recognizing potential fraud, a bank teller alerted management, who then contacted the Colonie Police Department. Officers quickly launched an investigation and devised a sting operation.
Bank representative Paige Angrisano told NewsChannel 13 that police were present as the scammers continued giving instructions over the phone while the man sat in the manager’s office. “They were asking to see pictures of the cash, just making sure it was real and happening,” said Angrisano.
She also issued a warning to others: “If it doesn’t seem right, it’s not. So, trust your gut. If it seems too good to be true, it usually is.”
Working undercover, police posed as the elderly victim and arranged a meeting with the suspects to deliver the cash. At the meetup, authorities arrested two individuals from Flushing, Queens.
Qinghua Wang, 34, was charged with felony grand larceny and released under probation supervision.
Huifeng Jin, 43, was charged with grand larceny, resisting arrest, and assaulting a police officer.
One officer suffered a serious injury during the arrest, police confirmed.
In a statement, the Colonie Police Department said:
“Incidents like this are a reminder of the danger the men and women of the Colonie Police Department face every day, and their brave actions, once again, served to protect our most vulnerable population.”
Authorities expect to release more details on the case Tuesday.
